CVE-2002-1965 in Xitami
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Errors.gsl in Imatix Xitami 2.5b4 and 2.5b5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Javascript events, as demonstrated via an onerror event in an IMG SRC tag or (2) User-Agent field in an HTTP GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2025
The CVE-2002-1965 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Imatix Xitami web server versions 2.5b4 and 2.5b5. This vulnerability resides within the Errors.gsl component, which handles error page generation for the web server. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser by injecting arbitrary web script or HTML code through carefully crafted input vectors. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated error pages, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the server's error handling mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary attack vectors that demonstrate the server's inadequate input validation and output encoding practices. The first vector involves injecting malicious javascript events directly into the error handling mechanism, specifically targeting the onerror event within an IMG SRC tag. This technique leverages the browser's event handling system to execute malicious code when image loading fails, which is a common XSS exploitation pattern. The second vector targets the User-Agent field in HTTP GET requests, where attackers can inject malicious scripts through the browser identification string that the server processes and displays in error messages. Both attack vectors exploit the fundamental weakness in the server's failure to properly escape or filter user input before rendering it in the context of web pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1965 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially allowing attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive cookies, or redirect users to malicious sites. When an authenticated user visits an error page generated by the vulnerable Xitami server, their browser executes the injected malicious code, potentially compromising their session or device. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on Xitami for serving error pages, making it a significant concern for organizations using this specific server version. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can craft malicious error pages that appear legitimate to users. Mitigation strategies include implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly in error handling components. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of Xitami or migrate to more modern web server solutions that properly handle user input. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and using web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar XSS vulnerabilities in the future.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization in server-side error handling components, as these areas often receive less security attention than core application logic. This flaw underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of all components that process user input, including error handling mechanisms that may not be immediately obvious as security-critical. The widespread use of Xitami in the early 2000s made this vulnerability particularly impactful, as many organizations were unaware of the security implications of their web server configurations. Modern security practices emphasize the principle of least privilege and proper input validation across all application components, making this vulnerability a historical example of how seemingly minor oversights in error handling can create significant security risks.