CVE-2010-2003 in Advanced Poll
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in misc/get_admin.php in Advanced Poll 2.08 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the mysql_host parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2025
The CVE-2010-2003 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the Advanced Poll 2.08 web application that exposes a critical security weakness in input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. This vulnerability exists within the misc/get_admin.php script and specifically targets the mysql_host parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious input manipulation. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web responses without proper sanitization or encoding, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of victim browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established XSS attack pattern where malicious actors craft specially formatted input containing script code that gets executed when the vulnerable application processes and displays the mysql_host parameter. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through Web Application Attacks. When an attacker submits malicious content through the mysql_host parameter, the application fails to properly escape or encode the input before rendering it in the web response, allowing the injected script to execute in the victim's browser context. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to manipulate the application's administrative interface and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The flaw particularly affects environments where Advanced Poll is used for administrative functions, as the injected scripts can persistently compromise user sessions and enable further exploitation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, steal administrative credentials, or manipulate poll results and configurations. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation can occur without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrative functions are exposed to external networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2003 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective remediation involves proper sanitization of all user-supplied input parameters, including the mysql_host parameter, through the implementation of strict input validation and HTML encoding of output data. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in OWASP's Secure Coding Guidelines, particularly the emphasis on input validation and output encoding. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this flaw represents a common pattern that can exist in various forms throughout legacy web applications.