CVE-2002-0520 in ASP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in functions-inc.asp for ASP-Nuke RC1 allows remote attackers to execute script as other ASP-Nuke users by embedding it within an IMG tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0520 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the ASP-Nuke RC1 content management system, specifically affecting the functions-inc.asp component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter malicious content submitted through web forms and user-generated content sections. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate to more severe security incidents.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the strategic placement of malicious code within IMG tags, which are commonly used for image embedding in web applications. When ASP-Nuke processes user input containing such malicious content, the system fails to adequately sanitize the data before rendering it in web pages. This allows attackers to embed JavaScript code or other malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected pages. The vulnerability specifically targets the functions-inc.asp file, which likely handles various user input processing functions and serves as a central component in the application's data handling pipeline. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding, which are fundamental security principles that should be implemented at every layer of web application development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, manipulate application data, and potentially gain unauthorized access to user accounts. When users view web pages containing the malicious embedded code, their browsers execute the injected scripts, which can capture cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify page content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into web pages. The attack vector leverages the trust relationship between users and the web application, making it particularly dangerous as victims are often unaware they are being targeted.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the ASP-Nuke application. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed, with particular attention to HTML and script tag filtering. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution, while proper input validation should be enforced at multiple points in the application's data flow. Security patches and updates should be applied immediately, as this vulnerability was present in ASP-Nuke RC1 and likely addressed in subsequent releases. Additionally, web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block attempts to exploit this type of vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application attack pattern involving code injection techniques, specifically targeting the web application's input handling processes and user session management functions.