CVE-2000-0208 in ht:
Summary
by MITRE
The htdig (ht://Dig) CGI program htsearch allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by enclosing the file name with backticks (`) in parameters to htsearch.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0208 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the ht://Dig web search engine software. This issue affects the htsearch CGI program which serves as the primary interface for searching content within the ht://Dig system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the parameter processing logic, specifically when handling file paths and search parameters. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include backtick characters in the search parameters, which the software interprets as command execution delimiters rather than literal text characters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the category of command injection attacks as defined by CWE-77, where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization. When the htsearch program processes parameters containing backticks, it executes the enclosed commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially allowing attackers to read arbitrary files from the system. This flaw exists because the software does not properly escape or validate special shell metacharacters in user-provided input before using them in system calls or file operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially execute arbitrary commands on the affected server. This represents a severe privilege escalation vector that can lead to complete system compromise, especially when the web server process runs with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects any system running ht://Dig versions prior to the patch release, making it particularly dangerous in environments where legacy software remains unpatched or where automated scanning tools identify exposed search interfaces.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching the ht://Dig software to the latest secure version, implementing proper input validation and sanitization at the application level, and restricting access to the htsearch CGI interface through firewall rules or authentication mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter with T1059.007 for Unix Shell, highlighting the execution of system commands through shell interfaces. Additionally, network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should identify other potentially vulnerable CGI applications within the organization's attack surface.