CVE-2002-2189 in ActiveWebserver
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in ActiveXperts Software ActiveWebserver allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script via a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2024
The CVE-2002-2189 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the ActiveXperts Software ActiveWebserver product line. This security weakness arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web server's processing pipeline. The vulnerability specifically affects how the software handles user-supplied data in URL parameters or link structures, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject malicious script code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from the ActiveWebserver's failure to properly sanitize or escape user-controllable input before rendering it within web page responses. When a user clicks on a specially crafted link containing malicious script code, the web server processes this input without adequate protection measures. The vulnerability manifests as a direct injection point where attacker-controlled payloads can be executed in the browser context of unsuspecting victims. This occurs because the server does not implement proper input sanitization or output encoding techniques that would neutralize potentially dangerous characters and script sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities within the victim's browser session. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even harvest sensitive information from the affected web applications. The remote exploitation nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the target system or network, making it particularly dangerous for web applications hosted on vulnerable ActiveWebserver installations. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical input validation weakness, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for social engineering through malicious links.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2189 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures within the ActiveWebserver configuration. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed in web responses. This includes implementing strict character validation, encoding potentially dangerous characters, and utilizing proper content security policies. The most effective remediation approach involves updating to patched versions of ActiveWebserver software, as the vulnerability was addressed through proper input validation implementations. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection patterns, and establish regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web server components. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous link patterns and script injection attempts that could indicate exploitation attempts against this or similar XSS vulnerabilities.