CVE-2002-0220 in PhpSmsSend
Summary
by MITRE
phpsmssend.php in PhpSmsSend 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via an SMS message containing shell metacharacters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0220 affects PhpSmsSend version 1.0, a component designed for sending SMS messages through web interfaces. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system by manipulating SMS message content. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the phpsmssend.php script, which processes incoming SMS data without proper security measures to prevent command injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of user-supplied input in SMS message parameters. When the phpsmssend.php script receives an SMS message, it fails to properly sanitize or escape special shell metacharacters that could be interpreted by the underlying operating system. Attackers can craft malicious SMS messages containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that get executed as system commands when processed by the vulnerable script. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category, specifically classified as "Command Injection," which is a well-documented weakness in software applications that execute system commands based on user input without proper validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using PhpSmsSend 1.0. Remote attackers who exploit this weakness can gain unauthorized access to the underlying system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or service disruption. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute commands with the privileges of the web server process, which could range from simple reconnaissance to full system control depending on the server configuration. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where the web server has elevated privileges or access to sensitive data repositories. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages SMS communication channels, which are often considered less secure than traditional network-based attack vectors.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves immediate patching of the PhpSmsSend software to version 1.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should implement strict input filtering and sanitization for all SMS message parameters, utilizing proper escaping techniques for shell metacharacters. Network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious SMS traffic patterns, though these measures are secondary to proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK framework tactic T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter techniques, specifically targeting the execution of malicious commands through vulnerable interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their SMS communication infrastructure.