CVE-2002-1393 in KDE
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple vulnerabilities in KDE 2 and KDE 3.x through 3.0.5 do not quote certain parameters that are inserted into a shell command, which could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via (1) URLs, (2) filenames, or (3) e-mail addresses.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1393 represents a critical command injection flaw affecting KDE 2 and KDE 3.x versions through 3.0.5. This issue stems from improper input sanitization within the KDE desktop environment's handling of user-supplied data in shell command contexts. The vulnerability specifically impacts how KDE processes URLs, filenames, and email addresses when constructing shell commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The root cause lies in the software's failure to properly quote or escape parameters before incorporating them into shell execution contexts, a classic example of insufficient input validation and sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through three primary vectors that leverage shell command injection techniques. When KDE processes URLs, filenames, or email addresses containing specially crafted malicious input, the application fails to properly sanitize these parameters before passing them to shell commands. This allows attackers to inject additional shell commands that execute with the privileges of the affected user or system process. The vulnerability manifests as a command injection attack where user-controllable input directly influences shell command execution, bypassing normal security boundaries and potentially leading to complete system compromise. This flaw directly maps to CWE-77 which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential privilege escalation and system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the KDE application, which typically runs with the permissions of the logged-in user. Depending on the system configuration, this could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, system file manipulation, or even full system takeover. The vulnerability affects a wide range of KDE applications that process user input through shell commands, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter malicious URLs, files, or email addresses. The attack surface is broad since the flaw exists in core KDE components that handle various types of user input, and the exploitation requires minimal sophistication to achieve successful command injection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1393 focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to KDE versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as the flaw was resolved through proper input sanitization and shell command parameter quoting. System administrators should implement strict input validation at all points where user data enters shell command contexts, ensuring that all parameters are properly quoted and escaped before command execution. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices, particularly in applications that interact with shell commands and process user input, emphasizing the need for proper input sanitization and the principle of least privilege in system design. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for command injection patterns and maintain up-to-date security patches for desktop environments.