CVE-2002-2010 in Htdig
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in htsearch.cgi in htdig (ht://Dig) 3.1.5, 3.1.6, and 3.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the words parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2025
The cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2010 affects the ht://Dig search engine software, specifically targeting the htsearch.cgi component in versions 3.1.5, 3.1.6, and 3.2. This vulnerability represents a classic client-side attack vector that exploits the improper handling of user input within the web interface. The ht://Dig system is a widely used open-source web search engine that indexes web content and provides search functionality through a web interface, making it a common target for attackers seeking to compromise web applications. The vulnerability exists in the way the software processes the words parameter, which is typically used for search queries in the search interface. When users submit search terms through the web interface, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into dynamically generated HTML responses. This failure creates an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code or HTML content that will execute in the context of other users' browsers who view the search results page. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute other malicious actions that compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are significant for organizations relying on ht://Dig for web search functionality. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code in victims' browsers, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the search interface itself, which is typically accessed by multiple users and may be used in environments where users trust the search results. When a malicious user submits crafted input containing script tags or other HTML content through the words parameter, the vulnerable application will render this content directly into the search results page without proper sanitization. This allows attackers to create persistent attack vectors that can affect all users who view the compromised search results. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious content is reflected back to users through the application's response. The attack requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the search interface is publicly accessible. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software indicates a fundamental flaw in the input validation mechanism that was not properly addressed in the affected releases, creating a widespread exposure across installations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input sanitization and output encoding measures. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation and sanitization of all user-supplied input, particularly the words parameter used for search queries. The recommended approach involves escaping special HTML characters such as angle brackets, quotes, and script tags before incorporating user input into web responses. This aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP guidelines for preventing XSS attacks and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1588.002 for defensive measures against web-based attacks. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed within the application context. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of ht://Dig where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Security teams should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns targeting this specific vulnerability. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of the web application stack. Organizations should also consider implementing proper logging and monitoring of search queries to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails for security incident response activities.