CVE-2002-1854 in Whois
Summary
by MITRE
Rlaj whois CGI script (whois.cgi) 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the domain name field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1854 affects the Rlaj whois CGI script version 1.0, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands on the affected server. This vulnerability resides within the domain name field processing functionality of the whois.cgi script, which fails to properly sanitize user input before using it in system commands. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and improper output encoding, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject shell metacharacters that get interpreted by the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')", which is a well-documented weakness in software security that has been consistently flagged across numerous security assessments and penetration testing exercises.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with potentially full system control over the affected server. An attacker can leverage this flaw to perform actions such as reading sensitive files, modifying system configurations, creating new user accounts, or even installing backdoors to maintain persistent access. The script's design appears to directly incorporate user-supplied domain name data into system calls without proper sanitization, making it susceptible to exploitation through carefully crafted input sequences that include shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or command substitution operators. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web environments where CGI scripts are commonly used for system administration tasks, as it can effectively transform a simple search function into a weaponized attack vector.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell," as it enables attackers to execute commands through shell environments. The attack surface is particularly concerning for systems hosting whois services, as these are often publicly accessible and may be used by both legitimate users and malicious actors for reconnaissance purposes. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices that violate fundamental security principles of least privilege and input sanitization, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools that scan for common web vulnerabilities. Organizations running this version of the whois CGI script are at risk of complete system compromise, as the vulnerability provides no inherent restrictions on the commands that can be executed, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or access sensitive system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1854 must focus on immediate input validation and sanitization measures to prevent command injection attacks. The most effective approach involves implementing proper input filtering that removes or encodes special shell metacharacters before processing user data, while also ensuring that the script does not directly execute system commands with user-supplied input. Security measures should include updating to a patched version of the Rlaj whois CGI script or replacing it with a more secure alternative, as the original version appears to be outdated and potentially vulnerable to additional attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious command injection patterns, along with regular security audits that verify proper input handling across all CGI scripts. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized command execution attempts, as the vulnerability can be exploited without authentication and may go unnoticed for extended periods. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that the input sanitization measures do not inadvertently break legitimate functionality while effectively preventing exploitation of the command injection vulnerability.