CVE-2002-2045 in X-stat
Summary
by MITRE
x_stat_admin.php in x-stat 2.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to (1) execute PHP commands such as phpinfo or (2) obtain the full path of the web server via an invalid action parameter, which leaks the pathname in an error message.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2045 affects x-stat 2.3 and earlier versions, specifically targeting the x_stat_admin.php component. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to exploit multiple attack vectors through improper input validation and error handling mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters, creating opportunities for both code execution and information disclosure attacks. The issue manifests when an attacker provides an invalid action parameter to the x_stat_admin.php script, which then processes this input without adequate validation checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's handling of the action parameter within the x_stat_admin.php file. When an attacker supplies an invalid action value, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before processing it. This improper input handling leads to two distinct attack vectors: command execution and path disclosure. The command execution aspect allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary PHP commands such as phpinfo(), which can provide extensive information about the server configuration and PHP environment. The path disclosure component occurs when error messages generated by the system reveal the full server path, providing attackers with critical system information that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to affected systems. The ability to execute arbitrary PHP commands creates opportunities for attackers to gain unauthorized access to server resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The path disclosure vulnerability exposes sensitive server path information that attackers can use to craft more sophisticated attacks or to identify other potential targets within the system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any internet-connected attacker.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns documented in various threat frameworks including ATT&CK techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1083 for file and directory discovery. Attackers can leverage the path disclosure to understand the server's directory structure and then use the command execution capability to perform reconnaissance, install backdoors, or escalate privileges. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions of x-stat indicates a fundamental flaw in the application's security design that was not adequately addressed in the affected releases. Organizations running vulnerable versions of x-stat face substantial risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available version of x-stat that addresses these security flaws. System administrators should implement input validation measures to prevent unauthorized parameter manipulation and ensure proper error handling that does not expose system information. Network-level protections including firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that no unauthorized modifications have occurred. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and error handling in web applications, reinforcing principles from security standards that emphasize the need for robust sanitization of all user-supplied data to prevent injection attacks and information disclosure scenarios.