CVE-2002-1868 in Dispair
Summary
by MITRE
Dispair 0.1 and 0.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands via certain form fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1868 affects Dispair versions 0.1 and 0.2, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands through specific form fields. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied data. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic command injection flaw that can be exploited across various web applications where user input is not properly filtered or escaped before being processed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Dispair processes form fields that contain user-provided data without adequate sanitization measures. Attackers can craft malicious input containing shell metacharacters and command sequences that get interpreted and executed by the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software applications. The flaw represents a direct violation of secure coding practices and demonstrates the absence of proper input validation controls that should prevent malicious code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1868 extends beyond simple unauthorized code execution to encompass complete system compromise potential. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the affected system, potentially escalating privileges to execute commands with the privileges of the web application user. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web forms, API endpoints, or any interface that accepts user input and processes it without proper sanitization. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows for remote exploitation without requiring authentication or local access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary fix involves implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization mechanisms that filter or escape special characters commonly used in shell command injection attacks. Security controls should include proper parameter validation, use of whitelisting approaches for acceptable input patterns, and implementation of secure coding practices that prevent command execution from user-supplied data. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls and input validation layers as additional protective measures. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of malicious commands through compromised web applications. The remediation process should include thorough code review, implementation of secure coding standards, and regular security testing to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the software.