CVE-2001-0992 in Shopplus Cart
Summary
by MITRE
shopplus.cgi in ShopPlus shopping cart allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the "file" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0992 affects the ShopPlus shopping cart software through its shopplus.cgi component, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands. This vulnerability resides within the web application's input handling mechanism where the "file" parameter fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The flaw stems from inadequate validation and filtering of input parameters, allowing malicious actors to inject shell metacharacters that are subsequently interpreted and executed by the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 as Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command, which specifically addresses the dangerous practice of incorporating untrusted data into command execution contexts without proper sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious payload through the "file" parameter that contains shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks. These characters are interpreted by the system shell, enabling the execution of arbitrary commands on the target server with the privileges of the web application process. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it allows for complete system compromise, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, install backdoors, or perform further reconnaissance within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple command execution as it can lead to full system takeover, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms that persist across system reboots.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to e-commerce environments that rely on the ShopPlus shopping cart system, as it allows attackers to escalate privileges from mere web application access to complete system control. The attack surface is broad since any user interaction with the shopplus.cgi component can serve as an entry point for exploitation. Organizations running this software face potential data breaches, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's age and the widespread use of legacy e-commerce systems make it particularly concerning as many organizations may still be running unpatched versions of this software, creating persistent security gaps in their infrastructure.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures to prevent the injection of shell metacharacters into the "file" parameter. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided security patches or upgrade to newer versions of the ShopPlus software that address this specific flaw. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The remediation process should include comprehensive security testing and code review to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, following principles aligned with the ATT&CK framework's command and control tactics where adversaries establish persistent access through system command execution. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect and remediate similar issues across the organization's web applications.