CVE-2002-1785 in Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Zeus Administration Server in Zeus Web Server 4.0 through 4.1r2 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the section parameter to index.fcgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1785 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Zeus Administration Server component of the Zeus Web Server version 4.0 through 4.1r2. This security weakness specifically manifests in the handling of user input through the section parameter within the index.fcgi script, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability affects authenticated users who possess valid credentials to access the Zeus administration interface, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate user privileges to bypass normal security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Zeus Administration Server. When authenticated users navigate to the index.fcgi script and provide malicious input through the section parameter, the server fails to properly sanitize or escape the user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. This lack of proper input sanitization creates a persistent XSS vector that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of other users who view the affected pages. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on Zeus Web Server for critical web applications and require secure administrative access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1785 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data manipulation, and redirection to malicious websites. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can establish persistent access to the administrative interface, potentially gaining full control over the web server configuration, user management, and application data. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, they can leverage this XSS flaw to maintain access and escalate privileges. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, and corresponds to techniques in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and script injection.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and output encoding controls, proper parameter sanitization, and regular security updates to the Zeus Web Server software. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation for all parameters passed to the index.fcgi script, particularly the section parameter, and ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security audits to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in administrative interfaces where privileged access exists, as these components often represent prime targets for attackers seeking to compromise entire web applications and their underlying systems.