CVE-2002-1753 in csNewsPro
Summary
by MITRE
csNewsPro.cgi in CGIScript.net csNews Professional (csNewsPro) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Perl code via the setup parameter, which is processed by the Perl eval function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1753 affects csNews Professional version 1.0 and earlier, a web-based news management system developed by CGIScript.net. This critical security flaw exists within the csNewsPro.cgi script that handles user input through the setup parameter, creating a dangerous path for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insecure input handling that directly enables arbitrary code execution, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that process user-supplied data without proper sanitization or validation.
The technical flaw stems from the improper handling of the setup parameter within the csNewsPro.cgi script, where user input is directly passed to Perl's eval function without adequate sanitization or filtering. This design decision creates a direct code injection vector where attackers can craft malicious payloads that get interpreted and executed as Perl code on the target server. The eval function in Perl is inherently dangerous when used with unsanitized user input, as it effectively treats any string passed to it as executable code, bypassing normal security boundaries and access controls. This vulnerability falls under CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and represents a fundamental failure in input validation and sanitization practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected server with the privileges of the web server process. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over the web application, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication and can be exploited from anywhere on the internet, making it an attractive target for automated scanning and exploitation campaigns. This type of vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.006 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Perl", where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute malicious code.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves crafting a malicious setup parameter value that contains Perl code to be executed, which could include commands to download additional malware, create backdoors, or exfiltrate data from the compromised system. Organizations running affected versions of csNews Professional are at significant risk of complete system compromise, as the vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a direct shell on the target server. The lack of proper input validation means that even seemingly benign input can be transformed into dangerous code execution, making this vulnerability particularly insidious and difficult to detect through standard security monitoring. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority remediation item, as it represents a critical failure in web application security architecture that could lead to complete system compromise and data breaches.