CVE-2002-1480 in phpGB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in phpGB before 1.20 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or script into guestbook pages, which is executed when the administrator deletes the entry.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1480 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the phpGB guestbook application prior to version 1.20. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user input within guestbook entries, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject harmful HTML or script code. The vulnerability specifically manifests when administrators interact with guestbook entries, particularly during the deletion process, making it a particularly dangerous flaw given the administrative privileges typically associated with such operations. The flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is categorized as a critical security weakness in web applications where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the phpGB application's guestbook handling mechanisms. When users submit entries to the guestbook, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input data before storing it in the database or rendering it in web pages. This lack of proper data sanitization allows attackers to embed malicious scripts within guestbook entries, which then get executed when the administrator views or deletes the entries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its administrators, who are likely to interact with guestbook entries during routine management tasks. The attack vector specifically targets the deletion functionality, suggesting that the malicious script execution occurs during the processing of entries that administrators are about to remove, potentially compromising the administrator's session or executing unauthorized commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal administrator credentials, or redirect users to malicious websites. When administrators delete guestbook entries, the embedded scripts execute in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to access administrative functions or steal sensitive information. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to the confidentiality and integrity of the web application, as it can be exploited to compromise the entire administrative interface. The flaw also demonstrates poor security practices in input validation and output encoding, which are fundamental requirements in modern web application security. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachment, as attackers could leverage this flaw to deliver malicious payloads through guestbook entries. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is amplified by the fact that it requires minimal user interaction from administrators, who may simply view or delete entries without suspecting malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user input before storage and properly escaping all output before rendering, particularly when displaying guestbook entries. Application developers should implement proper HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content and utilize parameterized queries to prevent script injection. Additionally, the application should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and restrict external resource loading. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. Version updates to phpGB 1.20 or later are essential, as these releases would contain the necessary security patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, and establish security awareness training for administrators to recognize potential phishing attempts that could exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that all input fields are properly sanitized and that the application's output rendering mechanisms do not introduce new attack vectors.