CVE-2003-0152 in Bonsai
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in bonsai Mozilla CVS query tool allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands as the www-data user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0152 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the bonsai Mozilla CVS query tool, a web-based interface for accessing and querying CVS (Concurrent Versions System) repositories. This tool was commonly deployed in web environments where developers needed to interact with version control systems through a browser-based interface, making it a potential attack vector for malicious actors seeking unauthorized system access. The vulnerability specifically affects the tool's handling of user input parameters, creating a pathway for remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting the bonsai interface.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the bonsai tool's processing logic. When users submit queries or commands through the web interface, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into system commands or shell executions. This classic input validation vulnerability creates a condition where attacker-controlled input can be interpreted as executable code rather than mere data, effectively allowing command injection attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at a privilege level that typically corresponds to the web server user account, which in this case is identified as www-data, representing the standard user context for Apache web servers on debian-based systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to escalate their privileges within the web server environment. Since the tool executes commands as the www-data user, attackers can potentially access sensitive files, modify repository contents, install backdoors, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The attack surface is significant because bonsai tools are often deployed in development environments where they may have access to sensitive code repositories, configuration files, and potentially database credentials or other system resources. This vulnerability essentially transforms a legitimate development tool into a weapon for unauthorized system compromise.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection and code injection flaws respectively, while also mapping to ATT&CK techniques such as T1059.001 for command and script injection. The remediation strategy requires immediate patching of the bonsai tool to implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being processed. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous command execution patterns. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of regularly updating and maintaining web-based development tools, as the exploitation of such flaws often occurs through the use of outdated or unpatched software components that remain vulnerable to known attack vectors.