CVE-2005-2837 in WebGUI
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple eval injection vulnerabilities in PlainBlack Software WebGUI before 6.7.3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary Perl code via (1) Help.pm, (2) International.pm, or (3) WebGUI.pm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2837 represents a critical server-side code injection flaw affecting PlainBlack Software WebGUI versions prior to 6.7.3. This vulnerability manifests through multiple attack vectors within the software's core modules, specifically targeting the Help.pm, International.pm, and WebGUI.pm components. The flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before executing dynamic code evaluation operations. These modules are designed to handle various runtime configurations and internationalization features, making them prime targets for exploitation. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and falls under the broader category of code injection attacks that can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can leverage the eval function to execute arbitrary Perl code on the target system, effectively bypassing all security controls and gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2005-2837 occurs when remote attackers manipulate input parameters passed to the vulnerable modules, causing the application to evaluate malicious code within the context of the web server process. This creates a privilege escalation scenario where attackers can execute commands with the same permissions as the web server, typically running with elevated privileges on the host system. The attack surface is particularly concerning because these modules are integral to the WebGUI application's functionality, meaning that exploitation can occur through normal application usage patterns without requiring specialized attack tools or techniques. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential data breaches, system compromise, and denial of service conditions. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows attackers to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive information, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Organizations affected by CVE-2005-2837 face significant operational risks that align with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the "Execution" and "Persistence" domains. The vulnerability enables adversaries to achieve initial access through remote code execution and subsequently establish persistence mechanisms within the compromised environment. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be effectively mitigated through proper input validation, output encoding, and application hardening practices. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to PlainBlack Software WebGUI version 6.7.3 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and code evaluation safeguards. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads, restricting network access to vulnerable applications, and conducting comprehensive security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual execution patterns and unauthorized code injection attempts within their web application environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper code review processes and input validation mechanisms in preventing remote code execution flaws that can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data.