CVE-2005-1559 in nslookup
Summary
by MITRE
The web module in Neteyes Nexusway allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via hex-encoded shell metacharacters in the ip parameter for (1) nslookup.cgi or (2) ping.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1559 represents a critical command injection flaw within the web module of Neteyes Nexusway network monitoring software. This vulnerability specifically affects two CGI scripts nslookup.cgi and ping.cgi which process user input through the ip parameter. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle hex-encoded shell metacharacters, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into shell commands without proper sanitization. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to perform arbitrary code execution on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the ip parameter in the targeted CGI scripts. Attackers can encode shell metacharacters in hexadecimal format to bypass basic input filters and injection detection mechanisms. When the web application processes these hex-encoded characters, the underlying shell command execution environment interprets the encoded metacharacters as legitimate shell commands rather than user input. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the host system, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, modifying system configurations, or establishing persistent access through backdoor creation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the shell execution level, meaning that successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise without requiring additional privileges or complex attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1559 extends beyond simple command execution to encompass significant security implications for network monitoring infrastructure. Organizations relying on Neteyes Nexusway for network surveillance and monitoring face substantial risk when this vulnerability remains unpatched, as attackers can leverage it to gain unauthorized access to network monitoring capabilities. This compromise can lead to data exfiltration from network traffic monitoring systems, potential network infiltration through the monitoring infrastructure, and disruption of critical network monitoring services. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which describes the use of command and scripting interpreters for execution. Additionally, the attack vector represents a classic example of how web application vulnerabilities can escalate to system-level compromise, making it a critical target for defensive measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1559 must focus on immediate input validation and sanitization improvements within the affected web applications. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation that rejects or properly escapes special shell metacharacters before processing user input. The most effective approach involves using a whitelist-based validation mechanism that only accepts known good input patterns rather than attempting to filter out malicious content. Additionally, implementing proper input encoding and escaping mechanisms for shell command execution can prevent the interpretation of user-supplied data as shell commands. Security practitioners should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious hex-encoded payloads targeting these specific CGI endpoints. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, particularly focusing on input validation and command injection prevention techniques. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other web applications within the network infrastructure.