CVE-2000-0923 in Phone
Summary
by MITRE
authenticate.cgi CGI program in Aplio PRO allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the password parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0923 affects the authenticate.cgi CGI program in Aplio PRO software, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the authentication mechanism, specifically targeting the password parameter processing within the CGI script. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject shell metacharacters that are subsequently interpreted and executed by the underlying operating system, creating a severe privilege escalation vector that can compromise the entire system.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, commonly known as OS command injection. The technical implementation involves the CGI program failing to sanitize user input before incorporating it into system commands, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as executable shell commands. When the password parameter contains metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, these characters are processed by the shell and transformed into actual command execution rather than being treated as literal password characters. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of CGI script design and shell command invocation, where input validation occurs too late in the processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is devastating for organizations utilizing Aplio PRO software, as it provides remote attackers with complete system compromise capabilities without requiring authentication. Attackers can execute commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system control, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability affects not only the authentication functionality but also exposes the underlying system to arbitrary code execution, making it a prime target for exploitation in automated attack campaigns. Network-based attacks can be executed from any location without requiring physical access or prior credentials, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such systems may be exposed to external networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0923 require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures within the CGI application. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation that filters or escapes special shell metacharacters before processing user input. The recommended approach involves using secure coding practices that avoid direct shell command construction with user-supplied data, instead employing safer alternatives such as function calls with properly escaped parameters. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls that address both application-level and network-level defenses. System administrators should also consider implementing least privilege principles for web server processes and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other CGI applications.