CVE-2004-1037 in Twiki
Summary
by MITRE
The search function in TWiki 20030201 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a search string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1037 represents a critical command injection flaw within the TWiki web-based collaboration platform version 20030201. This issue specifically affects the search functionality of the application, which processes user input without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The vulnerability arises from the application's failure to properly escape or filter special shell metacharacters that users can inject into search queries, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands on the underlying server. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of command injection attacks as defined by CWE-77 and CWE-88, where attacker-controlled data flows directly into system command execution contexts. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure application development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or service disruption, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute commands with the privileges of the web server process. This can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the vulnerable TWiki instance resides. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify system files, access sensitive data, or even establish persistent access to the compromised server. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or prior authentication to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Shell Script) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), as it enables command execution and potential privilege escalation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker submits a specially crafted search string containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or command substitution operators. When the TWiki search function processes this input, it passes the unfiltered data directly to system commands, allowing the attacker to chain commands and execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because TWiki is designed as a collaborative platform that often runs on shared hosting environments or enterprise servers where the web server process may have elevated privileges. Organizations using TWiki or similar wiki platforms should immediately implement mitigations including input sanitization, output encoding, and proper command execution parameterization. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and input validation as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the SANS Top 25, where improper input handling consistently ranks among the most dangerous application security flaws. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious search queries that might indicate exploitation attempts.