CVE-2004-2347 in Web Blog
Summary
by MITRE
blog.cgi in Leif M. Wright Web Blog 1.1 and 1.1.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters such as | in the file parameter of ViewFile requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2347 represents a critical command injection flaw in the blog.cgi script of Leif M. Wright Web Blog versions 1.1 and 1.1.5. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the file parameter handling mechanism, creating an exploitable path for remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands on the affected server. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers manipulate the ViewFile request by injecting shell metacharacters such as the pipe character |, which allows them to chain commands and bypass normal execution boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category known as "Command Injection" which is classified as a critical weakness in software security.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the file parameter in HTTP requests directed to the blog.cgi script. When the application processes these requests without proper sanitization, the shell metacharacters are interpreted by the underlying operating system as command delimiters rather than literal characters. This misinterpretation enables attackers to execute malicious commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input filtering and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing command injection attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Shell Script) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2347 extends beyond simple command execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, install backdoors, modify system files, or extract sensitive information from the compromised server. The vulnerability affects web applications that rely on dynamic file operations without proper security controls, making it particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments where multiple applications reside on the same server. Organizations running affected versions of the Leif M. Wright Web Blog software face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper secure coding practices including input validation, parameterized queries, and principle of least privilege enforcement.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-supplied patch or upgrading to a newer version of the web blog software that properly sanitizes input parameters. System administrators should implement input validation mechanisms that filter or escape special characters including pipe symbols, semicolons, and other shell metacharacters before processing user-supplied data. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional layers of defense by detecting and blocking suspicious command injection patterns. Security monitoring should include log analysis for unusual command execution patterns and unauthorized file access attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of regular security updates and the implementation of secure coding practices throughout the software development lifecycle, particularly in applications that handle user input and perform system-level operations.