CVE-2002-0622 in Commerce Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Office Web Components (OWC) package installer for Microsoft Commerce Server 2000 allows remote attackers to execute commands by passing the commands as input to the OWC package installer, aka "OWC Package Command Execution".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0622 represents a critical command execution flaw within the Office Web Components package installer for Microsoft Commerce Server 2000. This vulnerability falls under the category of input validation and sanitization failures, specifically enabling remote code execution through improper handling of user-supplied input during the installation process. The Office Web Components package installer was designed to facilitate the deployment of web-based components for commerce applications, but contained a fundamental security flaw that allowed malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from the installer's failure to properly validate or sanitize command-line parameters passed to the installation utility, creating an attack surface where remote adversaries could manipulate the installation process to execute malicious code with the privileges of the installer process.
This security weakness directly maps to CWE-77 and CWE-78 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing command injection vulnerabilities that occur when untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization. The attack vector leverages the installer's trust in input parameters, allowing attackers to pass malicious command sequences that get executed by the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the installation phase rather than during runtime, potentially allowing attackers to execute commands before the system is fully configured or protected by security measures. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK matrix under T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute code through legitimate installation utilities that are typically trusted by system administrators and security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0622 extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation. Attackers could potentially gain elevated privileges, install malware, modify system configurations, or establish footholds within network environments. The vulnerability affects systems running Microsoft Commerce Server 2000 with the Office Web Components package installed, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments that may have legacy systems still in operation. Organizations with insufficient patch management processes or those unable to upgrade from deprecated software versions face significant risk exposure. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to systems or local network presence, making the vulnerability particularly attractive for wide-scale attacks. The installation process typically occurs during system deployment or updates, providing attackers with opportunities to inject malicious commands during these critical phases when security monitoring may be less stringent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0622 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems with Microsoft security updates, though given the age of this vulnerability, organizations may need to consider system retirement or migration to supported platforms. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts, while monitoring for unusual installation activity or command execution patterns should be implemented. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation at all levels of software development and the critical need for secure coding practices that prevent command injection attacks. Organizations should also implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain inventory of all installed software components that may be vulnerable to similar issues. Given the age of this vulnerability, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date systems and the dangers of operating legacy software without proper security controls or monitoring.