CVE-2002-0319 in Pforum
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in edituser.php for pforum 1.14 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute script and steal cookies from other users via Javascript in a username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0319 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that existed in pforum version 1.14 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the edituser.php script within the forum application, making it susceptible to malicious input manipulation. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation and sanitization of user-provided data, particularly when processing usernames submitted through the web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious javascript code into the username field, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected page.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or filter special characters in user input before rendering it back to the browser. When a malicious user registers with a username containing javascript code such as <script>alert('xss')</script> or more sophisticated payload strings, the application stores this input without adequate sanitization. The edituser.php script then displays this unfiltered content directly in the web page without proper html encoding, creating an environment where the injected script executes in the victim's browser context. This behavior aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities resulting from improper input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to include serious session hijacking capabilities. Since the injected javascript can access and transmit cookie data to attacker-controlled servers, malicious actors can steal session tokens and impersonate legitimate users. This enables unauthorized access to user accounts, potential data breaches, and privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability affects all users who view pages containing the malicious username, creating a widespread attack surface that can compromise multiple user sessions simultaneously. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to execute and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in forum environments where users frequently interact with usernames.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user input through proper html entity encoding before rendering any content in the browser context. This approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1531 for credential access through session hijacking. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution, enforce strict input validation for special characters, and regularly audit web applications for similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, upgrading to pforum versions that address this specific vulnerability would provide a permanent solution. The remediation process should include thorough code review of all input handling mechanisms and implementation of automated testing procedures to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.