CVE-2002-0306 in Avengers News System
Summary
by MITRE
ans.pl in Avenger s News System (ANS) 2.11 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the p (plugin) parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0306 resides within the ans.pl script of Avenger s News System version 2.11 and earlier, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin parameter p within the application s request handling mechanism, where input validation fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The flaw stems from the application s improper handling of shell metacharacters, allowing malicious actors to inject operating system commands that are subsequently executed with the privileges of the web server process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic command injection pattern where user-controllable input directly influences system command execution without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. When an attacker submits malicious shell metacharacters through the p parameter, the ans.pl script processes these inputs without proper validation, leading to unintended command execution. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77 which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution contexts, and represents a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of improper input validation and insufficient command execution sanitization, creating a direct pathway for remote code execution.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to affected systems as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially enabling full system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple command execution to include potential privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms within the compromised environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, install backdoors, or perform reconnaissance activities that could lead to further exploitation within the network infrastructure. The remote nature of this attack vector means that adversaries can exploit the vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring prior authentication or local access to the system.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0306 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Avenger s News System versions, as the vendor has likely released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures for all user-controllable parameters, particularly those that may be passed to system execution functions. The implementation of a Web Application Firewall WAF can provide additional protection by filtering out suspicious input patterns and preventing known attack vectors from reaching the vulnerable application. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls, ensuring that web server processes run with minimal required permissions to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices that prevent command injection flaws, including the use of parameterized commands and avoiding direct shell command execution with user input. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar flaws within their application portfolios and implement proper code review processes that include security testing for command execution contexts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader exploitation patterns.