CVE-2002-0958 in PHP Reactor
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in browse.php for PHP(Reactor) 1.2.7 allows remote attackers to execute script as other users via the go parameter in the comments section.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0958 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the PHP(Reactor) content management system version 1.2.7. This security weakness specifically targets the browse.php script and manifests when user input is improperly handled in the comments section of the application. The vulnerability occurs when the go parameter is processed without adequate sanitization or validation, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary script code within the context of other users' browsers. Such flaws are particularly dangerous because they can be leveraged to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is embedded into web pages without proper validation or escaping. The flaw operates by allowing attackers to manipulate the go parameter in the comments section to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets executed when other users view the affected page. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1531, which involves using malicious code to compromise user sessions or steal credentials through web-based attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer, where user input is directly rendered without proper context-aware escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0958 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to phishing sites. When users browse pages containing malicious comments, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to unauthorized access to their accounts or data exposure. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the web application's user interface and can compromise the trust relationship between users and the application. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that appear legitimate to users, making detection more difficult and potentially causing widespread impact across the user base.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding techniques. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-provided input, particularly parameters like go, before they are processed or displayed in web pages. This includes implementing proper HTML escaping mechanisms that convert special characters into their safe representations, preventing script execution in the browser context. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to limit script execution and employ web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, regular security updates and patch management are crucial, as PHP(Reactor) 1.2.7 is an outdated version that likely contains multiple other vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough code review to ensure that all parameters are properly validated and that output encoding is consistently applied throughout the application to prevent similar issues in other components.