CVE-2002-0091 in Cider Shadow
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple CGI scripts in CIDER SHADOW 1.5 and 1.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via certain form fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0091 affects CIDER SHADOW versions 1.5 and 1.6, representing a critical security flaw in web application infrastructure that enables remote command execution through CGI scripts. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's form processing mechanisms, specifically targeting CGI scripts that handle user-submitted data. The affected system operates as a web-based content management platform that processes user inputs through web forms, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate form fields to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying server. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')", which directly aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The flaw exists because the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into system commands, allowing attackers to append malicious commands that get executed by the operating system shell. This creates a severe privilege escalation vector where remote attackers can gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves CGI scripts that process form data without proper sanitization, enabling attackers to inject command delimiters and additional shell commands through form fields. When users submit data through web forms, the application directly incorporates these inputs into system commands without proper validation or encoding, making it susceptible to command injection attacks. Attackers can exploit this by crafting form submissions that include shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or pipe characters, which are interpreted by the shell and executed with the privileges of the web server process. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute commands with the same privileges as the web application, potentially enabling them to access sensitive data, modify system files, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0091 is severe and multifaceted, affecting both the confidentiality and integrity of affected systems. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code, potentially gaining full administrative control over the targeted servers. The vulnerability affects not only individual systems but also creates risks for network-wide compromise, as attackers can use compromised systems as launch points for further attacks. Organizations running CIDER SHADOW 1.5 and 1.6 are particularly vulnerable because the affected CGI scripts are commonly used for content management and user interaction, making them prime targets for exploitation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it attractive to attackers across the threat spectrum. From a security compliance perspective, this vulnerability violates fundamental principles of secure coding practices and represents a failure to implement proper input validation controls. The attack surface is broad as any form field that accepts user input and processes it through system commands becomes a potential target for exploitation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and input validation across all application components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0091 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. Organizations should immediately apply vendor patches or upgrade to versions of CIDER SHADOW that address the command injection vulnerability, as this represents the most direct solution to the identified flaw. The implementation of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms should be prioritized, including the use of allowlists for acceptable input values and proper escaping of special characters in command execution contexts. Security teams should implement web application firewalls and input validation rules to detect and block suspicious command injection attempts. Additionally, privilege separation should be enforced where possible, ensuring that web applications run with minimal necessary privileges to reduce the impact of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. The remediation process should include comprehensive logging and monitoring of form submissions and command execution to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also establish secure coding practices and training programs to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles, emphasizing the importance of input validation and command execution security principles that align with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.