CVE-2002-1461 in Web Shop Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Web Shop Manager 1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the search box.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1461 represents a critical command injection flaw in Web Shop Manager version 1.1, a web-based e-commerce solution that was widely deployed in the early 2000s. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and directly enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted search queries. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input submitted through the search functionality, allowing attackers to inject shell metacharacters that are subsequently executed by the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with direct system-level access and can be exploited from any remote location without requiring authentication or prior access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms when processing search parameters. When users enter search terms into the Web Shop Manager interface, the application directly incorporates these inputs into system commands without adequate validation or escaping of special characters. Shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, backticks, and pipes can be used to chain commands or execute arbitrary programs, effectively bypassing any application-level security controls. This weakness aligns with CWE-77 which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, and specifically relates to CWE-94 which covers "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')." The vulnerability represents a classic command injection attack vector where user-controllable input flows directly into shell execution contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1461 extends far beyond simple data theft or service disruption, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web application user, typically a low-privileged account but potentially elevated if the application runs with higher permissions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data including customer credit card information and personal details, modify or delete web content, and establish persistent access to the compromised system. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, T1078 for valid accounts, and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments or links, as attackers often use such vulnerabilities to establish initial access and maintain persistence. The widespread use of Web Shop Manager in small to medium businesses during this era meant that exploitation could lead to significant financial and reputational damage for affected organizations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization measures, application-level firewalls, and network segmentation to limit the attack surface. The most effective remediation involves proper escaping of special characters in all user-controllable inputs before they are processed by the application. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block command injection attempts, using least privilege principles for web application accounts, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications are essential defensive measures. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious command execution patterns and ensure that all web applications are kept up to date with the latest security patches. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing command injection attacks, a lesson that remains relevant in modern cybersecurity practices and continues to be addressed in current security frameworks and compliance standards.