CVE-2002-0948 in Makebook
Summary
by MITRE
Scripts For Educators MakeBook 2.2 CGI program allows remote attackers to execute script as other visitors, or execute server-side includes (SSI) as the web server, via the (1) Name or (2) Email parameters, which are not properly filtered.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0948 affects the Scripts For Educators MakeBook 2.2 CGI program, representing a critical security flaw in web application input validation. This issue stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data within the Name and Email parameters of the CGI script, creating an avenue for remote code execution and server-side include manipulation. The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the application's failure to properly filter input data, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes user input without sufficient validation, permitting malicious payloads to be interpreted as executable code rather than benign text input. This weakness directly violates fundamental web security principles and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that has been documented in numerous security frameworks including CWE-20, which categorizes improper input validation as a core weakness. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data manipulation as it can enable attackers to execute scripts as other visitors or leverage server-side includes to run commands with the privileges of the web server process, effectively compromising the entire web application environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the Name and Email parameters within the CGI program's input handling mechanism. When these parameters contain malicious input such as script tags, command injection sequences, or SSI directives, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the data before processing. This lack of proper input filtering creates a pathway for attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on the server, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, modifying application behavior, or even establishing persistent access. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services through command injection, and represents a form of server-side request forgery that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. The CGI environment's architecture, which typically executes scripts with the permissions of the web server process, amplifies the severity of this vulnerability by allowing attackers to perform actions that would normally require administrative privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0948 extends far beyond immediate code execution capabilities, potentially enabling comprehensive system compromise and data breaches. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can manipulate the web application to serve malicious content to other users, execute arbitrary commands on the server, or access sensitive files that should remain protected. The ability to execute server-side includes as the web server process provides attackers with direct access to the server's file system, potentially allowing them to read configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive information. This vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish backdoors, modify application functionality, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks against internal networks. The long-term consequences include potential data loss, service disruption, and reputational damage for organizations relying on the affected web application. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations and increased security audit scrutiny due to the presence of such a critical vulnerability in their web infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0948 must address the fundamental input validation failure that enables this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves implementing comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms that properly filter all user-supplied data before processing. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation that rejects or escapes potentially dangerous characters and sequences, particularly those used in script injection attacks. The solution should include proper CGI input handling that prevents the interpretation of user input as executable code, utilizing techniques such as input whitelisting, proper escaping of special characters, and implementing secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top 10 recommendations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns, employ principle of least privilege for web server processes, and conduct regular security assessments of their web applications. The remediation process should also include updating or replacing the vulnerable Scripts For Educators MakeBook 2.2 software with a patched version or alternative solution that properly handles user input validation. Security monitoring and incident response procedures should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, and regular security training for developers should emphasize secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future application development cycles.