CVE-2002-2044 in X-stat
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in x_stat_admin.php in x-stat 2.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a parameter to the phpinfo action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-2044 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the x-stat web analytics tool version 2.3 and earlier. This security weakness specifically affects the x_stat_admin.php component when processing the phpinfo action parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the application's administrative interface, where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into dynamic web content without proper security filtering.
This particular XSS vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')". The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious payloads through the phpinfo action parameter, potentially enabling them to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform other harmful actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in administrative contexts where x-stat 2.3 and earlier versions are deployed, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to conduct more sophisticated attacks within the ATT&CK framework's initial access and persistence phases. An attacker could craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when visited by an administrator or other authenticated user, would execute the injected code within the victim's browser context. This could result in session hijacking, data exfiltration, or the installation of backdoors through the execution of malicious JavaScript. The phpinfo action parameter serves as the attack vector, making it particularly dangerous as it likely provides access to sensitive server configuration information that could aid in further exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the x-stat application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters before they are processed or displayed, particularly those used in administrative functions. Organizations should immediately upgrade to versions of x-stat that have addressed this vulnerability, as the flaw affects software from 2002 and likely represents a broader pattern of insufficient security controls in legacy web applications. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies and using web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against similar XSS vulnerabilities in the application's attack surface.