CVE-2002-1027 in Sitespring
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in the default HTTP 500 error script (500error.jsp) for Macromedia Sitespring 1.2.0 (277.1) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script via a link to 500error.jsp with the script in 1the et parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1027 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Macromedia Sitespring 1.2.0 version 277.1, specifically targeting the default HTTP 500 error handling mechanism. This issue manifests through the 500error.jsp script which is designed to display server error messages to users when internal server errors occur. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within this error handling component, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts into the error page.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the et parameter within the 500error.jsp URL. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious link containing script code within this parameter and directs a user to trigger the error condition, the injected script executes within the victim's browser context. This occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied input before incorporating it into the error page's HTML output. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of reflected XSS where the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the application's error handling mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could craft sophisticated payloads that steal cookies, redirect users to phishing pages, or even execute more complex attacks through the compromised user session. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate error handling functionality, making it harder for security controls to detect the malicious activity. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers "Phishing for Information" through malicious links, and T1059.007 which involves "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" for executing malicious scripts.
Organizations utilizing Macromedia Sitespring 1.2.0 should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves proper input validation and output encoding of all user-supplied parameters before they are incorporated into web page content. This includes implementing strict parameter validation, sanitizing all inputs, and ensuring that any user-provided data is properly escaped when rendered in HTML contexts. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional barrier against script execution. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments of web applications, particularly those handling user input through error handling mechanisms. Organizations should consider upgrading to patched versions of Sitespring or implementing web application firewalls to protect against exploitation attempts. The issue demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive security testing including both static and dynamic analysis of error handling components within web applications.