CVE-2005-2624 in CPAINT
Summary
by MITRE
Eval injection vulnerability in CPAINT 1.3-SP allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary ASP code via the cpaint_argument[] parameter to (1) calculator.asp or (2) cpaintfile.asp, which is directly fed into an eval statement.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2018
The CVE-2005-2624 vulnerability represents a critical server-side code injection flaw in CPAINT 1.3-SP, a content management system that was widely used in web applications during the mid-2000s. This vulnerability specifically targets the way the application processes user input through the cpaint_argument[] parameter, which is utilized in two primary script files: calculator.asp and cpaintfile.asp. The flaw exists at the core of how the application handles dynamic content generation, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary code directly into the server's execution context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of user-supplied parameters that are subsequently passed to an eval statement without adequate sanitization or validation. When an attacker submits malicious input through the cpaint_argument[] parameter, the system directly incorporates this data into an eval function call, effectively executing the injected code within the context of the web server. This represents a classic server-side request forgery and code injection vulnerability that allows for complete system compromise when exploited successfully.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or service disruption. Attackers who successfully exploit this flaw can execute arbitrary commands on the vulnerable server, potentially gaining full administrative control over the web application and underlying system. This includes the ability to read sensitive files, modify content, create backdoors, and establish persistent access to the compromised environment. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the server and can leverage this weakness from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes the weakness of executing arbitrary code, and maps directly to attack patterns within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Execution tactic. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate sanitization of user-provided data, which are fundamental security principles that should be enforced at every level of application development. Organizations running CPAINT 1.3-SP systems were particularly vulnerable because this flaw allowed attackers to bypass traditional security controls and directly manipulate the server's execution environment.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected software version, as no reliable workarounds exist for this specific flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied parameters before processing them within the application. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to vulnerable web applications, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the critical need for regular security updates in enterprise web applications.