CVE-2002-2348 in Authoria HR
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in athcgi.exe in Authoria HR allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the command parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2024
The CVE-2002-2348 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the athcgi.exe component of Authoria HR software, a human resources management system that was widely deployed in enterprise environments during the early 2000s. This vulnerability resides in the web interface component that processes user inputs through the command parameter, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response. The flaw fundamentally stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the CGI script, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws where web applications fail to validate or escape user-controllable data before including it in web pages served to other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or data exfiltration. When a victim accesses a maliciously crafted URL containing the XSS payload, the injected script executes in their browser, allowing the attacker to perform actions such as stealing cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or modifying the content of the web application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in HR systems where sensitive employee data is processed, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to personal information, payroll details, or confidential employment records. The attack vector is straightforward, requiring only that an attacker craft a URL with malicious input in the command parameter and entice a victim to click the link, making it highly exploitable in phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks.
From a security perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices in web application development. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers the use of scripting languages for execution, and represents a classic example of how insufficient data sanitization can compromise entire web applications. Organizations using Authoria HR systems were particularly vulnerable as the software was designed without adequate protection against malicious input, and the CGI-based architecture made it susceptible to various injection attacks. The vulnerability also highlights the need for proper security testing including dynamic application security testing and input validation reviews, as the flaw could have been detected during the development phase through proper code review and penetration testing procedures. Remediation requires implementing proper input validation on the command parameter, encoding output before displaying user-controllable data, and ensuring that all user inputs are properly sanitized before being processed by the web application. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and using web application firewalls to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities.