CVE-2003-0223 in Mail
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability (XSS) in the ASP function responsible for redirection in Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) 4.0, 5.0, and 5.1 allows remote attackers to embed a URL containing script in a redirection message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0223 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Microsoft Internet Information Server versions 4.0, 5.0, and 5.1 that specifically targets the ASP redirection functionality. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the server's redirection mechanism, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into redirection URLs. The vulnerability operates by exploiting the server's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into redirection responses, thereby allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that contain embedded script code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when IIS processes redirection requests through its ASP functions, which are designed to handle URL redirection for web applications. When a user encounters a maliciously crafted redirection URL, the server's ASP component fails to properly escape or validate the input parameters before embedding them in the HTTP response headers or HTML content. This allows attackers to inject script code that executes in the context of the victim's browser when they follow the malicious redirection. The flaw specifically affects the server-side redirection logic where user-controllable data is directly incorporated into redirection messages without adequate sanitization measures.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and phishing attacks. When victims are redirected to malicious URLs containing embedded scripts, the attacker can steal session cookies, capture login credentials, or redirect users to fraudulent websites designed to harvest sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the server level and can affect multiple applications running on the same IIS instance. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability maps directly to Cross-Site Scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or sanitization, making it a prime target for exploitation in web-based attacks.
The attack vector for this vulnerability typically involves crafting malicious URLs that contain script code within the redirection parameters, which are then processed by IIS and executed in the victim's browser. Attackers can leverage this weakness to create persistent phishing campaigns, conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, or establish command and control channels. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1189, which describes the use of drive-by compromises through web-based attacks, and T1566, which covers the exploitation of web applications for initial access. Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive systems, and potential compromise of entire web server infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0223 include implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within ASP applications, applying Microsoft security patches and updates, and configuring IIS to properly escape user input before processing redirection requests. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls and implement content security policies to prevent script execution in redirection contexts. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to supported versions of IIS where these vulnerabilities have been addressed through proper code review and input validation implementations. Security administrators should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and maintain up-to-date security configurations to prevent exploitation of similar flaws in web server environments.