CVE-2000-0941 in Whois
Summary
by MITRE
Kootenay Web KW Whois 1.0 CGI program allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the "whois" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0941 resides within the Kootenay Web KW Whois 1.0 CGI program, a web-based tool designed to provide whois lookup functionality through a web interface. This particular implementation suffers from a critical command injection flaw that arises from improper input validation and sanitization within the "whois" parameter processing. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient input sanitization, where user-supplied data flows directly into system commands without adequate filtering or escaping mechanisms. The affected system processes the whois parameter through shell execution functions, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary shell commands by leveraging metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that are interpreted by the underlying shell.
This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-77, which specifically addresses Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the vulnerable system with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication or specialized privileges beyond access to the web interface, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure coding practices where the application directly incorporates user input into shell commands without proper sanitization or parameterization, creating a pathway for attackers to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it allows attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to data exfiltration, system enumeration, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms. An attacker could potentially use this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive system files, install backdoors, modify system configurations, or launch further attacks against internal network resources. The web server process typically runs with elevated privileges, meaning that successful exploitation could provide attackers with administrative access to the entire system. This type of vulnerability also poses significant risk to organizations as it can be exploited through automated scanning tools, making it particularly dangerous in environments with publicly accessible web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0941 must address the root cause of the vulnerability through proper input validation and secure coding practices. The primary recommendation involves implementing strict input sanitization and parameterization of all user-supplied data before it is processed by any system commands. Organizations should adopt the principle of least privilege by ensuring that web server processes run with minimal required permissions and avoid executing commands with elevated privileges. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding and escaping mechanisms can prevent metacharacter injection, while regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation approach should also include network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, as well as implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious command injection patterns. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how a single input validation flaw can enable comprehensive system compromise.