CVE-2006-0044 in Albatross
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in context.py in Albatross web application toolkit before 1.33 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unspecified vectors involving template files and the "handling of submitted form fields".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0044 resides within the Albatross web application toolkit's context.py component, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.33. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The vulnerability manifests through template files and the processing of submitted form fields, creating a pathway for malicious actors to leverage the toolkit's template handling mechanisms for unauthorized code execution. The unspecified nature of the exact attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways exist within the template processing logic that could be exploited, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it may be exploitable through various means depending on the specific implementation and user input handling.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the template processing subsystem of the Albatross toolkit. When form fields are submitted and processed through the context.py module, the system fails to properly validate or escape template variables that could contain malicious code. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and represents a classic example of template injection attacks where attacker-controlled data is interpreted as executable code within the template context. The flaw essentially allows attackers to inject code fragments that get executed during template rendering, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or service disruption. Remote command execution capabilities enable attackers to gain full control over affected web servers, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments. Organizations using Albatross toolkit versions prior to 1.33 face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that process user input through templates. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate application but can potentially compromise the entire hosting environment, especially when applications are deployed on shared hosting or cloud infrastructure where multiple applications share underlying resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-0044 primarily focus on immediate remediation through version upgrading to Albatross toolkit 1.33 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the template processing vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all form field data, particularly when this data is used within template contexts. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual command execution patterns or template processing anomalies. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify other potential template injection vulnerabilities and ensure proper sandboxing of template execution environments to prevent arbitrary code execution even if other vulnerabilities exist. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1190 for "Exploit Public-Facing Application", highlighting the attack vectors and techniques that would be employed by adversaries leveraging this flaw.