CVE-2005-2334 in Y.SAK
Summary
by MITRE
Y.SAK allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the $no variable to (1) w_s3mbfm.cgi, (2) w_s3adix.cgi, or (3) w_s3sbfm.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2334 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Y.SAK web application suite, specifically affecting three CGI scripts that handle file management operations. This vulnerability resides in the improper handling of user-supplied input within the $no variable parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The affected scripts w_s3mbfm.cgi, w_s3adix.cgi, and w_s3sbfm.cgi all share a common input processing weakness that allows malicious actors to inject shell metacharacters directly into the command execution flow.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the $no variable parameter within the CGI scripts, where attackers can embed shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that get interpreted by the underlying shell during command execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category of Command Injection, which is classified as a high-severity issue in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data or resources.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using the Y.SAK application suite, as it allows attackers to perform actions such as file manipulation, directory traversal, system information gathering, and potentially establish persistent access through backdoor creation. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of system commands through web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in command construction. The recommended approach involves implementing proper parameter escaping, using allowlists for acceptable input values, and employing secure coding practices that prevent shell command construction from user input. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting these specific CGI scripts. Additionally, the affected systems should be updated with patched versions of the Y.SAK application, as this vulnerability was likely addressed in subsequent releases through proper input validation mechanisms. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input handling flaws in other application components, as this type of vulnerability commonly occurs in legacy web applications that were not designed with modern security practices in mind. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding guidelines and the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such critical flaws from reaching production environments.