CVE-2002-1727 in Web Publisher
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability (XSS) in (1) as_web.exe and (2) as_web4.exe in askSam Web Publisher 1 and 4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary script as other users via a URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1727 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting askSam Web Publisher versions 1 and 4, specifically impacting the as_web.exe and as_web4.exe components. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a fundamental web application security weakness that has persisted across decades of software development. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a severe vector for session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of user-supplied input within the web publishing components of askSam. When users navigate to URLs containing malicious script payloads, the as_web.exe and as_web4.exe applications fail to adequately sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in web responses. This allows attackers to craft specially formatted URLs that, when accessed by victims, execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability specifically affects the web publishing functionality where user input is directly incorporated into dynamic web content without proper security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating a pathway for sophisticated attack chains that align with ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through spearphishing and T1059 for command and control through script injection. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, inject malicious content into web pages, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The remote execution capability means that attackers need only send a malicious URL via email, chat, or other communication channels to potentially compromise multiple users who visit the page. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may click on links without proper security awareness training.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on input validation and output encoding as recommended by OWASP and other security frameworks. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation and sanitization of all user-supplied input before processing or rendering it in web responses. The fix involves ensuring that all dynamic content generation properly escapes special characters and implements Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. Additionally, network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Given that this vulnerability affects legacy software versions, the most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to supported versions of askSam Web Publisher or migrating to modern web publishing platforms that have built-in protections against XSS attacks. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs to identify and remediate similar flaws in legacy systems that may not receive security updates.