CVE-2005-3095 in notify
Summary
by MITRE
Avi Alkalay notify program, dated 19 Aug 2001, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the from parameter.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2024
The CVE-2005-3095 vulnerability affects the notify program developed by Avi Alkalay, a utility designed for sending notifications via email. This particular version of the notify program, released on August 19, 2001, contains a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the program's handling of the from parameter, which is commonly used in email notification systems to specify the sender address.
The technical flaw manifests as a command injection vulnerability where the notify program fails to properly escape or filter special shell metacharacters present in the from parameter. When an attacker crafts a malicious input containing shell operators such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, these characters can be interpreted by the underlying shell and executed with the privileges of the notify program. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that aligns with CWE-77, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in operating system commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized command execution capabilities on systems running the vulnerable notify program. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to executing arbitrary code, accessing sensitive system information, modifying system files, or even establishing persistent backdoors. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of operating system commands through shell metacharacters.
The vulnerability affects systems where the notify program is installed and actively used for email notification services, particularly in Unix-like operating systems where shell command execution is prevalent. The attack vector is straightforward as it requires only that an attacker be able to submit a specially crafted from parameter to the notify program, which could be achieved through various means including web forms, API endpoints, or other interfaces that utilize the program. Organizations using this legacy software without proper input validation mechanisms face significant risk of compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited by anyone who can interact with the affected service. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the notify program to implement proper input sanitization, deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious inputs, and implementing principle of least privilege for the notify program execution environment.