CVE-2000-0010 in Webwho+
Summary
by MITRE
WebWho+ whois.cgi program allows remote attackers to execute commands via shell metacharacters in the TLD parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0010 affects the WebWho+ whois.cgi program, which is a web-based interface for performing whois lookups. This particular flaw exists within the handling of the TLD parameter, which represents top-level domain information in domain name resolution. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web application's parameter processing logic, creating a path for malicious input to be interpreted as executable commands rather than simple data.
This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-77, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in a command. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate the TLD parameter by embedding shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that are interpreted by the underlying shell executing the whois lookup functionality. When the web application passes user-supplied TLD values directly to system commands without proper sanitization, attackers can inject arbitrary shell commands that execute with the privileges of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. Depending on the privileges of the web server process, this could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities, install backdoors, or escalate privileges to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access or prior authentication to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding techniques to prevent command injection attacks. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters, particularly those that are passed to system commands, by removing or escaping special shell metacharacters. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege for web server processes can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider using parameterized command execution methods instead of direct shell command invocation, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the security implications. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications, as this type of flaw commonly occurs in legacy web applications that were not designed with modern security practices in mind.