CVE-2004-2183 in Wehelpbus
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in WeHelpBUS 0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands via the query string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2183 affects WeHelpBUS version 0.1, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands through manipulation of the query string parameter. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of command injection attacks, where malicious input is processed without proper sanitization or validation, allowing attackers to inject and execute operating system commands on the affected server. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied input within the query string, which is typically used for search or filtering operations within web applications.
This vulnerability represents a classic command injection flaw that aligns with CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities in software applications. The weakness occurs when application input is not properly sanitized before being passed to system commands, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can append arbitrary commands to legitimate operations. The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability allows for remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it highly attractive to attackers who can leverage this flaw to gain full control over the affected system. The query string manipulation technique used in this exploit demonstrates how web applications often fail to properly validate and escape user input before processing it in system contexts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations using WeHelpBUS 0.1, as it can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can use this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and access sensitive information stored on the server. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or network, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. This type of vulnerability also enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities, deploy additional malware, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for attacks against other systems within the network infrastructure.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques to prevent malicious command injection attempts. Organizations should employ parameterized queries and input filtering mechanisms to ensure that user-supplied data cannot be interpreted as executable commands. Security measures should include implementing web application firewalls, deploying proper output encoding, and following secure coding practices that prevent direct execution of system commands with user input. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management procedures to address known vulnerabilities in third-party applications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1071.004 for application layer protocols, indicating the attack patterns commonly associated with command injection exploits and the techniques used to establish persistent access through system command execution. The remediation process should include immediate patching of the affected software, implementation of input validation controls, and comprehensive security testing to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other parts of the application architecture.