CVE-2003-1543 in Java HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Bajie Http Web Server 0.95zxe, 0.95zxc, and possibly others, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query string, which is reflected in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The CVE-2003-1543 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the Bajie Http Web Server software family, specifically affecting versions 0.95zxe and 0.95zxc. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web server's error handling processes, where user-supplied query string parameters are not properly sanitized before being incorporated into error messages displayed to users. The flaw exists in the server's inability to distinguish between legitimate user input and potentially malicious script code, creating an exploitable pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of victim browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the typical XSS attack pattern where malicious input enters the system through the HTTP query string parameter, which is then processed by the web server and subsequently reflected back to the user in an error message without proper HTML encoding or sanitization. This reflective nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when visited by unsuspecting users, will execute the injected code in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability is classified as a reflective cross-site scripting issue under CWE-79, which specifically addresses the improper neutralization of input during web page generation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to web server security and user data integrity. An attacker could leverage this weakness to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or deface web pages. The reflected nature of the attack means that the malicious script executes in the victim's browser without requiring persistent storage on the server, making detection and prevention more challenging. This vulnerability directly impacts the web server's ability to maintain secure user sessions and protect against client-side attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information and system compromise.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass broader security implications for web applications using the affected software. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the broader ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1059.007 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" and T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" as attackers may use this vulnerability to deliver malicious JavaScript payloads. Mitigation strategies should include implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, deploying web application firewalls, and ensuring that all user-supplied input is sanitized before being processed or displayed. Organizations should also consider upgrading to patched versions of the Bajie Http Web Server software and implementing comprehensive security testing protocols to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications and services.