CVE-2002-0904 in Kismet
Summary
by MITRE
SayText function in Kismet 2.2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters (backtick or pipe) in the essid argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0904 represents a critical command injection flaw within Kismet version 2.2.1 and earlier installations. This security weakness resides in the SayText function which is designed to provide text-to-speech capabilities for wireless network monitoring alerts. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the essid argument parameter, which is used to identify wireless network service set identifiers. When attackers provide malicious input containing shell metacharacters such as backticks or pipe symbols, the system fails to properly escape or filter these characters before processing them within a shell context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of user-supplied input within the SayText function. The essid argument is directly incorporated into shell commands without adequate sanitization, creating a classic command injection attack vector. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the Kismet process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 2.2.2, indicating that this was a known issue that was subsequently patched by the development team. This flaw aligns with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and represents a common pattern in legacy software where input validation was not properly implemented.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain full control over systems running vulnerable Kismet versions. Since Kismet is commonly used for wireless network monitoring and penetration testing, attackers who exploit this vulnerability could potentially access sensitive network information, modify monitoring configurations, or even use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other network segments. The remote nature of this attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Kismet is deployed on network infrastructure. This vulnerability also intersects with ATT&CK techniques related to command and control, privilege escalation, and execution through legitimate system processes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate upgrading to Kismet version 2.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the command injection flaw. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Kismet systems to untrusted networks. Input validation should be strengthened across all user-facing parameters, with proper escaping of shell metacharacters and implementation of allow-list validation for critical parameters. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious command execution patterns and unusual network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing principle of least privilege for Kismet processes and regularly audit network monitoring configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the wireless security infrastructure.