CVE-2001-1343 in Webstore 400
Summary
by MITRE
ws_mail.cgi in WebStore 400/400CS 4.14 allows remote authenticated WebStore administrators to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in the kill parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1343 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the WebStore 400/400CS 4.14 web application suite. This issue specifically affects the ws_mail.cgi script which serves as a mail management component within the WebStore platform. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization practices that allow authenticated administrators to inject shell metacharacters into the kill parameter, thereby enabling arbitrary command execution on the underlying system. This represents a severe security weakness that transforms legitimate administrative privileges into a pathway for full system compromise.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of user-supplied input within the ws_mail.cgi script where the kill parameter is directly incorporated into shell commands without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. When an authenticated WebStore administrator submits malicious input containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks within the kill parameter, these characters are interpreted by the system shell and executed with the privileges of the web application process. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and CWE-94, which addresses the execution of arbitrary code or commands. The flaw demonstrates a classic command injection vulnerability where user input flows directly into system command execution contexts without proper validation or sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Once an authenticated administrator's credentials are compromised or obtained through social engineering, network reconnaissance, or credential theft, the attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web application user. This could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, installation of backdoors, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects not just the web application itself but potentially the entire underlying operating system, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on the WebStore platform. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability requires only authenticated access, which can be achieved through various means including credential compromise, phishing attacks, or insider threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1343 should focus on immediate patching of the WebStore 400/400CS 4.14 platform to address the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that escape or filter special shell metacharacters from all user-supplied parameters before they are processed. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web application processes run with minimal necessary permissions rather than elevated privileges. Network segmentation and monitoring should be deployed to detect anomalous command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls that can identify and block malicious shell metacharacter sequences. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, which describes the use of shell commands to execute malicious code. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar injection vulnerabilities across the entire application stack and prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of the system.