CVE-2002-1964 in phpEventCalendar
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in WesMo phpEventCalendar 1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1964 affects the WesMo phpEventCalendar version 1.1, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of remote code execution vulnerabilities, which are among the most severe threats in web application security. The unspecified attack vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through multiple entry points, making it particularly dangerous as defenders cannot easily predict or patch all potential exploitation methods. Such vulnerabilities often arise from improper input validation, insecure coding practices, or lack of proper sanitization of user-supplied data within web applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize inputs that are processed by the phpEventCalendar system. When user-provided data is directly incorporated into system commands or executed without proper sanitization, it creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed with the privileges of the web application. This typically occurs when applications use functions like system(), exec(), or shell_exec() without adequate input filtering, allowing attackers to manipulate command execution flows. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing command injection attacks. According to the CWE database, this vulnerability would likely map to CWE-77 or CWE-78, which specifically address command injection flaws in software systems. The weakness in the phpEventCalendar implementation indicates inadequate security controls during the development phase, where proper security testing and code review processes were apparently not implemented.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1964 extends far beyond simple data theft or service disruption. Remote code execution vulnerabilities provide attackers with complete control over affected systems, potentially enabling them to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify system configurations, or use compromised servers for further attacks against other systems. Organizations running this vulnerable version of phpEventCalendar face significant risk of full system compromise, especially if the application is hosted on servers with elevated privileges or if the web application has access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This type of vulnerability also increases the risk of lateral movement within networks, as compromised systems can serve as launching points for attacks against other networked systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), as it provides the initial access vector for executing arbitrary commands on target systems. The exploitation could lead to persistent access through backdoor installation, making long-term system compromise more likely.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1964 require immediate action to address the underlying vulnerability. The most effective approach is to upgrade to a patched version of the WesMo phpEventCalendar software, as vendors typically release security updates to address known command injection flaws. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable applications to untrusted networks. Input validation and sanitization measures should be strengthened throughout the application code, particularly around areas where system commands are executed. Security monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect suspicious command execution patterns and unusual network activity. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and application-level security controls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining updated software inventory and implementing proper software lifecycle management practices to ensure timely patch deployment and vulnerability remediation. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege for web applications and regularly review system configurations to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.