CVE-2003-1405 in Botbr
Summary
by MITRE
DotBr 0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands via the cmd parameter to (1) exec.php3 or (2) system.php3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1405 affects DotBr version 0.1, a web-based content management system that was prevalent during the early 2000s. This flaw represents a critical command injection vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands on the affected system. The vulnerability manifests through two specific files: exec.php3 and system.php3, which serve as entry points for malicious command execution. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within these files, allowing attackers to manipulate the cmd parameter and inject malicious commands that get executed with the privileges of the web server process.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-77 which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in a command inside a command processor. The flaw operates by bypassing proper input validation mechanisms that should have prevented the execution of user-supplied commands. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that manipulate the cmd parameter to execute system commands such as ls, cat, or even more destructive operations like rm or cp. The vulnerability exists because the application directly incorporates user input into system commands without proper sanitization or escaping of special characters that could alter the intended command execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and encompasses multiple attack vectors that can lead to complete system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system, potentially escalating privileges to the root user level if the web server runs with elevated permissions. The attack surface extends beyond simple command execution to include data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and persistent backdoor installation. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited to perform lateral movement within a network if the compromised system has access to other network resources, making it a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1405 should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable DotBr 0.1 application and implementation of proper input validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious command injection patterns in the affected files. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running web server processes with minimal required permissions. Input sanitization techniques including parameter validation, character encoding, and command escaping should be implemented to prevent malicious command injection. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual command execution patterns and unauthorized system access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and script execution and T1078 for valid accounts, as attackers may use compromised systems to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities and establish regular security assessments to identify similar command injection flaws in other applications.