CVE-2005-1950 in Webhints
Summary
by MITRE
hints.pl in Webhints 1.03 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1950 resides within the hints.pl script of Webhints version 1.03, 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 improper handling of user-supplied input parameters within the web application's command processing pipeline, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation that bypasses normal security controls and access restrictions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the script's failure to properly sanitize or validate input parameters before incorporating them into system command executions. When users provide arguments to the hints.pl script, the application directly concatenates these inputs into shell commands without adequate filtering or escaping mechanisms. This design flaw aligns with CWE-78, which specifically addresses Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command, making it susceptible to command injection attacks. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of input validation and command execution, where attacker-controlled data flows directly into operating system commands, enabling unauthorized code execution with the privileges of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows attackers to execute any command that the web server process has permissions to run, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system, escalate privileges, exfiltrate sensitive data, install backdoors, or perform other malicious activities. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system, as it enables attackers to manipulate the web application's environment and potentially compromise the entire server infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective approach involves eliminating the use of shell commands with user input entirely, instead implementing safer alternatives such as direct API calls or database queries. When shell commands are unavoidable, proper escaping or quoting of user input must be implemented using platform-specific escaping functions. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by running web server processes with minimal required permissions, limiting the potential damage from successful exploitation. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, conduct regular security code reviews, and ensure all systems are patched with the latest security updates. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation, as highlighted in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious commands. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of all input handling mechanisms and implementation of automated security scanning tools to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.