CVE-2006-0777 in guestex
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in guestex.pl in Teca Scripts Guestex 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands via the email parameter, possibly involving shell metacharacters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2018
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2006-0777 represents a critical command injection flaw within the guestex.pl script component of Teca Scripts Guestex 1.0 software. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of improper input validation and allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary shell commands on the affected system. The vulnerability specifically manifests through the email parameter, which serves as an entry point for attackers to inject shell metacharacters that are then processed by the vulnerable script. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability in the original description suggests that the exact mechanism of exploitation may have been initially unclear or that the vulnerability could potentially affect multiple aspects of the script's functionality. This weakness directly violates security principles by permitting unauthorized command execution, effectively granting attackers the ability to manipulate the underlying operating system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted email parameter value that contains shell metacharacters such as semicolons, pipes, or other command separators. When the guestex.pl script processes this input without proper sanitization or validation, the system interprets the injected commands as legitimate shell instructions rather than user input. This misinterpretation allows attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is classified as a command injection attack pattern that aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88, which specifically address improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands and the execution of system commands, respectively. The attack vector leverages the principle of insufficient input sanitization and demonstrates how unfiltered user input can be transformed into system-level operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or service disruption. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the affected server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system by allowing unauthorized access to system resources, modification of system files, and potential denial of service conditions. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications where user input is processed without adequate security controls, as it can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring advanced technical skills or specialized tools. The vulnerability also exposes the system to potential persistence mechanisms, as attackers can install backdoors or modify system configurations to maintain long-term access. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability would be categorized under the execution phase of the kill chain and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-0777 should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization measures to prevent command injection attacks. The most effective approach involves implementing proper parameter validation and escaping of special characters within the email parameter processing logic. Organizations should adopt a defense-in-depth strategy that includes input filtering, output encoding, and least privilege execution models for web applications. The fix should involve comprehensive sanitization of user input before it is processed by any system commands, ensuring that shell metacharacters are properly escaped or removed. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security updates and patches should be applied immediately to address the vulnerability, and system administrators should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include monitoring for unusual system behavior and implementing proper access controls to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Regular security testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.