CVE-2002-2364 in PHP Ticket
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in PHP Ticket 0.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a help ticket.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2364 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in PHP Ticket version 0.5 and earlier systems, fundamentally compromising web application security through improper input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability resides within the help ticket submission functionality of the PHP Ticket application, where user-supplied data fails to undergo adequate sanitization before being rendered in web responses. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code directly into the application's user interface, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient output encoding and input validation practices within the PHP Ticket application's data handling pipeline. When users submit help tickets containing malicious payloads, the application processes these inputs without proper sanitization, allowing script tags or other HTML elements to be stored and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. This represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability where the malicious code is executed when legitimate users view the affected ticket entries. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates how inadequate input filtering can lead to complete session hijacking and data exfiltration capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-2364 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform session manipulation, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute commands on behalf of authenticated users. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the application, potentially gaining administrative privileges if the affected system lacks proper access controls. The vulnerability affects all users who interact with help ticket functionality, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users access the same system. This type of vulnerability commonly maps to attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique for credential access through malicious web content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the PHP Ticket application. The most effective remediation involves sanitizing all user inputs using established encoding libraries and implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, while conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be enforced to prevent similar issues in future releases, with particular attention to input validation frameworks and output encoding practices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security standards such as those defined by the Open Web Application Security Project to prevent such widespread exploitation across web applications.