CVE-2004-2275 in I-mall.cgi
Summary
by MITRE
i-mall.cgi in I-Mall Commerce allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters via the p parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2275 affects the i-mall.cgi script component within the I-Mall Commerce web application suite, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands on the affected server. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the p parameter of the i-mall.cgi script, which fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before processing. The absence of adequate input filtering creates an exploitable condition where maliciously crafted shell metacharacters can be injected into the command execution pipeline, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized system-level privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution, and represents a classic example of command injection vulnerability that has been prevalent in web applications for decades. The flaw operates by directly incorporating user-supplied parameters into system command calls without proper sanitization, making it susceptible to exploitation through techniques such as command chaining, argument injection, or environment variable manipulation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary shell commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations running I-Mall Commerce systems, as it allows remote code execution without requiring authentication or specific user privileges. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists in a web-facing script that processes user input through HTTP requests. Successful exploitation could result in data breaches, system compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability also poses significant risk to business continuity as it can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, making it a popular target in automated attack campaigns.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the I-Mall Commerce software to address the command injection flaw in i-mall.cgi. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent shell metacharacters from being interpreted as command instructions. This includes implementing proper parameter validation, using whitelisting approaches for acceptable input values, and employing secure coding practices that avoid direct command execution with user-supplied data. Additionally, network segmentation, web application firewalls, and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding guidelines and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar command injection vulnerabilities in legacy web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege for web server processes and regular security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.