CVE-2005-0388 in remstats
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in the remoteping service in remstats 1.0.13 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands "due to missing input sanitising."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0388 resides within the remoteping service component of remstats version 1.0.13 and earlier implementations. This remote service functionality enables network-based system monitoring through ping operations, but suffers from a critical design flaw that undermines its security posture. The flaw specifically manifests in the absence of proper input sanitization mechanisms within the remoteping service, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted command inputs.
This vulnerability fundamentally represents a command injection flaw that aligns with CWE-77, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in commands. The missing input sanitization allows attackers to inject arbitrary commands that the remoteping service will execute with the privileges of the service account. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from any network location without requiring local system access, significantly expanding the attack surface and potential impact scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform complete system compromise operations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt system operations entirely. The remoteping service typically runs with elevated privileges to perform network monitoring functions, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous as it could allow attackers to gain administrative control over the affected systems. This type of vulnerability is classified under ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute malicious commands.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through network-based attacks that do not require authentication. Attackers simply need to send specially crafted input parameters to the remoteping service, which then processes these inputs without proper validation, leading to arbitrary code execution. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to automated attack tools and less sophisticated threat actors who can leverage it for unauthorized system access and control. Organizations running affected versions of remstats face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential system compromise without proper mitigations in place.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0388 focus primarily on updating to patched versions of remstats that implement proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. System administrators should immediately upgrade to remstats versions that address this vulnerability, as no effective workarounds exist for the affected versions. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the remoteping service ports, limiting exposure to unauthorized networks. Additionally, implementing input validation at multiple layers of the system architecture can provide defense in depth. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and sanitization in network services, aligning with security best practices outlined in various industry standards including NIST SP 800-171 and ISO 27001. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar input sanitization gaps in other network services and applications.