CVE-2002-1703 in Netauction
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability (XSS) in auction.cgi for Mewsoft NetAuction 3.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary script as other users via the Term parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1703 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Mewsoft NetAuction 3.0 web application's auction.cgi script. This security weakness specifically targets the Term parameter handling mechanism, creating an avenue for remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the auction.cgi component, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The affected application processes the Term parameter without implementing proper security controls to prevent script execution, making it susceptible to various forms of malicious code injection.
This cross-site scripting vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-79, which categorizes it as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')". The flaw enables attackers to craft malicious payloads that exploit the web application's failure to validate and sanitize input parameters, particularly the Term field used in auction searches or listings. When legitimate users browse pages containing the injected malicious script, the code executes in their browser context with the privileges of the authenticated user, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers can leverage this weakness from any location without requiring physical access to the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1703 extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions. Attackers can craft sophisticated payloads that manipulate the auction interface, redirect users to malicious sites, or steal session cookies and other sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of user data within the NetAuction platform, potentially compromising the entire auction ecosystem. When combined with other attack vectors, this XSS flaw can facilitate more severe compromises including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and complete system takeover. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that auction platforms typically handle sensitive user information including personal details, bidding history, and financial transactions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate input validation and output encoding implementations. Organizations should implement comprehensive parameter sanitization techniques that filter or escape special characters before processing user input, particularly in the Term parameter handling. The application should employ proper HTML encoding for all dynamic content generated from user inputs to prevent script execution in browser contexts. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution and establishing proper input validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially malicious payloads. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across the application's codebase. The remediation process must address the root cause by ensuring all user-supplied data undergoes proper validation and encoding before being incorporated into web page content, following established web application security best practices and standards.