CVE-2002-1008 in Lil HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in PowerBASIC urlcount.cgi, as included in Lil HTTP web server, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script in other web browsers via a request to urlcount.cgi that contains the script, which is not filtered when the REPORT capability prints the original request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1008 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that emerged in the Lil HTTP web server software suite, specifically within the PowerBASIC urlcount.cgi component. This issue manifests as a security weakness that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, fundamentally compromising the integrity of web browser sessions and user data protection. The vulnerability resides in how the server handles HTTP requests when the REPORT method is utilized, creating an environment where unfiltered input can be directly embedded into web responses without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs at the application layer where the urlcount.cgi script processes incoming HTTP requests and subsequently displays them in server-generated reports. When the REPORT capability is invoked, the original request data is printed directly to the web page output without adequate filtering or sanitization of potentially malicious content. This creates a direct path for attackers to embed script code within the request parameters, which then gets executed in the browsers of other users who view the affected report page. The vulnerability specifically affects the Lil HTTP web server implementation and demonstrates a failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing cross-site scripting attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to web server security and user privacy. Attackers can exploit this weakness to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface web pages, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent malicious presence on the affected web server. Users who access the report functionality of the Lil HTTP server become unwitting participants in the attack chain, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users access shared web resources.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles. This weakness also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery, as attackers can use this vulnerability to deliver malicious scripts to unsuspecting users. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise web server environments. Organizations running the Lil HTTP server software should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where user-generated content or web monitoring capabilities are utilized.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1008 should focus on implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the urlcount.cgi script. The most effective approach involves filtering all user-supplied input before displaying it in web reports, particularly when using the REPORT method. This can be achieved through the implementation of HTML entity encoding, regular expression filtering, or the use of established web application security libraries that provide built-in protection against XSS attacks. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling the REPORT capability if it is not essential for operations, or implement proper access controls to limit who can invoke this functionality. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits of web server configurations and the need for comprehensive input validation across all server-side scripts to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of the web application stack.