CVE-2001-1502 in Webcart
Summary
by MITRE
webcart.cgi in Mountain Network Systems WebCart 8.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the NEXTPAGE parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1502 affects the webcart.cgi script in Mountain Network Systems WebCart version 8.4, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands. This vulnerability resides within the web application's input processing mechanism where the NEXTPAGE parameter fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into system command executions. The flaw constitutes a classic command injection vulnerability that directly violates security principles of input validation and output encoding, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate the underlying operating system through the web interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper input sanitization and parameter handling within the webcart.cgi script. When the NEXTPAGE parameter is processed, the application directly incorporates user input into shell commands without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. This creates an environment where malicious actors can append shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks to the parameter value, effectively allowing them to chain additional commands that execute with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of improper input validation and unsafe command execution practices, aligning with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories that specifically address command injection vulnerabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to affected systems as it provides attackers with potential full system compromise capabilities. The remote execution aspect means that attackers do not require local access or authentication to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or the installation of backdoors and persistent access mechanisms. The impact extends beyond immediate command execution to potential lateral movement within network environments where the web server operates, as attackers could leverage the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as it enables adversaries to execute system commands and potentially maintain persistence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-supplied patch or upgrading to a newer version of WebCart that properly sanitizes input parameters before incorporating them into system commands. Organizations should implement input validation at multiple layers including web application firewalls, application-level sanitization, and proper parameter escaping before command execution. Additional protective measures include restricting web server privileges to the minimum necessary, implementing proper access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. Network segmentation and monitoring of suspicious command execution patterns can provide early detection capabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in OWASP Top 10 and the principle of least privilege in system design, emphasizing that all user inputs should be treated as potentially malicious and properly validated before any processing occurs.