CVE-2002-1874 in Astrocam
Summary
by MITRE
astrocam.cgi in AstroCam 0.9-1-1 through 1.4.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in an HTTP request. NOTE: earlier disclosures stated that the affected versions were 1.7.1 through 2.1.2, but the vendor explicitly stated that these were incorrect.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1874 affects the astrocam.cgi component within AstroCam software versions 0.9-1-1 through 1.4.0, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands. This vulnerability resides in the web interface component of the AstroCam surveillance software, which is designed to provide remote access to camera feeds and control functions. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input received through HTTP requests, specifically in parameters processed by the astrocam.cgi script. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-77, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of input validation and sanitization within the astrocam.cgi script, allowing attackers to inject shell metacharacters directly into HTTP requests. When the application processes these malicious inputs without proper filtering, it passes them directly to system command execution functions, thereby enabling attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker who can send HTTP requests to the affected system. The attack vector operates through standard web protocols and can be executed using common web exploitation techniques that leverage the absence of proper input validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. An attacker could potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive data, install malware, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects systems running the specified AstroCam versions in web server environments, where the astrocam.cgi script is accessible via HTTP requests. This creates a significant risk for organizations using surveillance systems that may not be properly secured or monitored, as the compromise of such systems can lead to unauthorized surveillance access and potential data breaches.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided updates or applying the appropriate input sanitization measures. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected web services and deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious HTTP requests. Additionally, regular security assessments of embedded systems and surveillance equipment should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the need for proper input validation and output encoding to prevent such injection attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.