CVE-2002-2011 in Faq-O-Matic
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the fom CGI program (fom.cgi) in Faq-O-Matic 2.711 and 2.712 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2011 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Faq-O-Matic content management system, specifically affecting versions 2.711 and 2.712. This vulnerability resides in the fom CGI program component which processes user input through the file parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before it is rendered back to web browsers, making it susceptible to injection attacks that can compromise user security and application integrity.
This cross-site scripting vulnerability operates through the exploitation of weak input handling within the fom CGI script, which directly incorporates user-provided file parameter values into web responses without sufficient sanitization. When a victim visits a page that includes malicious content injected through the file parameter, the browser executes the embedded script within the victim's security context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it enables attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and compromise user sessions, representing a direct violation of web application security principles and user trust.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection to encompass potential session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the affected web application environment. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute persistent XSS attacks that may remain undetected for extended periods, continuously compromising user interactions and potentially leading to complete system compromise if the application handles sensitive user data or administrative functions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the web application attack surface category, particularly focusing on code injection techniques that exploit input validation weaknesses.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding measures within the Faq-O-Matic application. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input, particularly parameters used in dynamic content generation, undergo comprehensive sanitization before being processed or displayed. The recommended approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects or encodes potentially malicious content, combined with proper HTML escaping techniques that prevent script execution in web contexts. Additionally, upgrading to patched versions of Faq-O-Matic that address this specific vulnerability represents the most effective long-term solution, as these updates typically include enhanced input validation mechanisms and improved security controls that align with contemporary web application security standards and best practices.