CVE-2001-1014 in Webdiscount E-Shop Online Shop
Summary
by MITRE
eshop.pl in WebDiscount(e)shop allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the seite parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1014 affects the eshop.pl component within the WebDiscount(e)shop web application, representing a critical remote command execution flaw that enables attackers to gain unauthorized system access. This vulnerability specifically resides in the handling of user input through the 'seite' parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw stems from the application's failure to properly filter or escape special shell metacharacters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of command injection attacks and is classified as CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks within the seite parameter of the eshop.pl script. When the web application processes this parameter without proper input validation, these metacharacters are interpreted by the system shell, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process. The impact extends beyond simple command execution, as attackers can potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive data, modify system files, or establish persistent access through backdoor creation. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and script interpreters, specifically targeting the execution of commands through the shell.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1014 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities, extract sensitive information from the database, modify product listings, manipulate customer data, and potentially compromise the entire web application infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for e-commerce platforms handling sensitive customer and financial information. Organizations using WebDiscount(e)shop are exposed to significant risk of data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage when this vulnerability remains unpatched. The flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's input handling mechanisms and demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices to prevent such injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the WebDiscount(e)shop application to address the input validation flaws in the eshop.pl component. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including the use of allowlists for valid input parameters and proper escaping of special characters before processing user-supplied data. Web application firewalls can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking suspicious command injection patterns in HTTP requests. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that web server processes operate with minimal necessary permissions. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application. Additionally, organizations should maintain updated vulnerability management processes and ensure that all web applications undergo proper security testing before deployment to prevent similar command injection vulnerabilities from being introduced into production environments.