CVE-2002-1938 in CGI Scanner
Summary
by MITRE
Virgil CGI Scanner 0.9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the (1) tar (TARGET) or (2) zielport (ZIELPORT) parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1938 affects Virgil CGI Scanner version 0.9, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands on the affected server. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the scanner's web interface, specifically in how it processes user-supplied parameters during the scanning process. The flaw manifests through two distinct attack vectors: the tar parameter designated as TARGET and the zielport parameter labeled as ZIELPORT, both of which are susceptible to malicious input manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input strings that get directly incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. When the scanner processes these parameters, it fails to validate or escape special characters that could alter the intended command execution flow, allowing attackers to inject additional commands that execute with the privileges of the web server process. This represents a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices that violates core security principles.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe implications for system security and integrity. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system, potentially escalating privileges, accessing sensitive data, or even compromising the entire server infrastructure. The impact extends beyond immediate command execution as attackers can use the compromised system as a foothold for further reconnaissance and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on this particular version of the scanner, potentially exposing their network infrastructure to unauthorized access and data breaches, especially in environments where the scanner is deployed with elevated privileges.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate and long-term remediation approaches. Organizations must first apply the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to a newer version of Virgil CGI Scanner that addresses the command injection flaw. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms should be enforced throughout the application code to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future deployments. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, while regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for command and script injection techniques, highlighting the need for robust application security controls and defensive measures against such exploitation methods.