CVE-2002-1950 in phpRank
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in phpRank 1.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) the email parameter of add.php or (2) the banner URL (banurl parameter) in the main list.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1950 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in phpRank version 1.8 that exposes web applications to malicious code injection attacks. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability specifically affects the input validation mechanisms within the phpRank application, which is a web-based ranking system designed to manage and display website rankings.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct attack vectors that exploit improper input sanitization. The first vector targets the email parameter within the add.php script, while the second vector targets the banner URL parameter known as banurl in the main list functionality. Both attack paths allow malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's output. When users view pages that contain these malicious inputs, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the victim's browser environment. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are essential for preventing XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that leverage the compromised application. An attacker could craft malicious URLs containing script tags or javascript code that would execute in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to privilege escalation or unauthorized access to the application's administrative functions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects core application functionality where user input is expected and processed. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly as long as the vulnerable application remains operational, potentially affecting all users who interact with the ranking system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper escaping techniques before processing or displaying any data. This includes implementing strict validation of email addresses and URL parameters to ensure they conform to expected formats and do not contain malicious payloads. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to add an additional layer of protection against script execution. The remediation process requires updating the phpRank application to a patched version that properly handles user input or implementing custom input sanitization routines that prevent the execution of unauthorized script content. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.