CVE-2001-0980 in docview
Summary
by MITRE
docview before 1.0-15 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters that are processed when converting a man page to a web page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0980 affects the docview utility version 1.0-15 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in the processing of man pages for web presentation. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the document viewing component that converts manual pages into web-compatible formats. The vulnerability exists in the command execution flow where user-supplied data containing shell metacharacters is not properly escaped or filtered before being processed in shell contexts during the conversion process. This flaw falls under the category of command injection vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-77 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a man page or input containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that get interpreted by the underlying shell during the document conversion process. When the docview utility processes these malicious inputs to generate web pages, the shell commands embedded within the metacharacters are executed with the privileges of the user running the docview process. This creates a remote code execution vector that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate sanitization of user-provided content, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass intended security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and persistent access establishment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, install backdoors, modify system configurations, or launch further attacks against network infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations relying on web-based documentation systems and highlights the importance of secure input handling in utility applications that process user data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the docview utility. The most effective approach involves escaping or filtering shell metacharacters from all user-supplied input before processing, ensuring that no dangerous characters can be interpreted by the shell during command execution. System administrators should immediately upgrade to docview version 1.0-15 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing least privilege principles for the docview process, restricting its capabilities, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns can help reduce the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls at network boundaries to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input handling in preventing command injection attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1021.004 for remote services.