CVE-2002-1167 in Websphere Caching Proxy Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Web Traffic Express Caching Proxy Server 3.6 and 4.x before 4.0.1.26 allows remote attackers to execute script as other users via an HTTP GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1167 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Web Traffic Express Caching Proxy Server versions 3.6 and 4.x prior to 4.0.1.26. This security weakness enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications that utilize the proxy server, potentially compromising user sessions and executing unauthorized commands on behalf of unsuspecting victims. The vulnerability specifically manifests through HTTP GET requests, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through simple web navigation or malicious links shared via email, instant messaging, or compromised websites.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the proxy server's handling of HTTP requests. When the caching proxy processes incoming GET requests containing malicious script code, it fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before forwarding or displaying the content to end users. This allows attackers to embed JavaScript payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with the affected web application. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by authenticated users, execute scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or modify web content displayed to victims. The caching nature of the proxy server amplifies the potential damage since compromised content can affect multiple users simultaneously, and the cached responses may continue serving malicious payloads long after the initial attack vector has been exploited. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, where adversaries leverage browser-based scripting to execute malicious code.
Organizations utilizing affected IBM Web Traffic Express versions face significant security risks, particularly in environments where users interact with web applications through the proxy server. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it attractive to attackers ranging from script kiddies to sophisticated threat actors. The impact is particularly severe in corporate environments where users may have elevated privileges, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise through session theft or privilege escalation. Additionally, the caching behavior of the proxy server means that once a malicious payload is injected, it can persist in the cache and affect numerous users over extended periods, potentially creating long-term exposure windows.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1167 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch version 4.0.1.26 or higher, which addresses the input validation and output encoding deficiencies. Organizations should also implement comprehensive web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, deploy content security policies that restrict script execution, and conduct thorough security assessments of all web applications using the affected proxy server. Network segmentation and user access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing web applications while maintaining the security posture against similar vulnerabilities.