CVE-2004-1222 in WebLibs
Summary
by MITRE
weblibs.pl in WebLibs 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the TextFile parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1222 affects WebLibs 1.0, a web-based library management system that provides various functionalities for handling document processing and file operations through its weblibs.pl script. This particular flaw represents a critical command injection vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands on the affected server. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the TextFile parameter processing mechanism, which directly impacts the system's security posture and operational integrity. The affected component operates as a perl script that handles text file operations, making it susceptible to malicious input manipulation that can escalate privileges and compromise the underlying operating system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the TextFile parameter, which is processed by weblibs.pl without proper sanitization of shell metacharacters. When an attacker submits malicious input containing special shell characters such as semicolons, ampersands, or command substitution operators, these characters are interpreted by the underlying shell during script execution, leading to arbitrary command execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software applications that execute shell commands with user-supplied input. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices where the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that have meaning in the shell context, creating an attack surface that allows full system compromise. The flaw essentially provides an attacker with a backdoor into the system that can be leveraged to perform actions such as file manipulation, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1222 extends beyond simple command execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the affected system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to the server, install backdoors, modify system files, and potentially establish a foothold for further network penetration. The vulnerability affects the availability of services as well, since malicious actors can potentially disrupt operations through command execution that may include system shutdowns or resource exhaustion. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution, and T1068, which addresses local privilege escalation. The vulnerability also relates to the broader category of insecure input handling that can lead to privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tiered web applications where such vulnerabilities can be chained with others to achieve more significant compromises.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1222 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those that are processed by shell commands. This includes escaping special shell characters, implementing whitelisting mechanisms for allowed input patterns, and avoiding direct shell command execution with user input. Organizations should also consider implementing proper output encoding and using safe APIs that do not require shell interpretation of user data. Additionally, the system should be configured with least privilege principles, ensuring that the web application runs with minimal necessary permissions and that file access controls are properly enforced. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards that emphasize the need for input validation, output encoding, and proper error handling to prevent injection vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.