CVE-2006-1799 in censtore
Summary
by MITRE
censtore.cgi in Censtore 7.3.002 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1799 affects censtore.cgi in Censtore versions 7.3.002 and earlier, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the page parameter handling mechanism of the censtore.cgi script, which processes user-supplied data without proper filtering or escaping of shell metacharacters. The flaw exists in the application's web interface where user input is directly incorporated into system commands without adequate security controls, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation. The affected software component operates as a web-based content management or storage system that processes requests through the censtore.cgi interface, making it accessible over network connections.
This command injection vulnerability operates at the core of improper input handling practices, specifically categorized under CWE-78 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection'). The vulnerability allows attackers to append malicious shell commands to the page parameter, which are then executed with the privileges of the web application process. When the application processes the page parameter through a system call or shell execution function, it fails to properly escape or filter special characters such as semicolons, ampersands, backticks, or pipes that could alter the intended command execution flow. This flaw directly enables attackers to chain commands, redirect output, or execute arbitrary programs on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-1799 extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute system commands that might include file manipulation, network reconnaissance, data exfiltration, or even establish persistent backdoors on the compromised server. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate execution environment but also potentially exposes underlying system configurations, user data, and network resources that are accessible through the compromised application. Given that censtore.cgi operates as a web interface component, the attack surface is expanded to include web-based reconnaissance and exploitation techniques that align with ATT&CK tactic T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage it from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-1799 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures to prevent command injection attacks. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Censtore versions that address this vulnerability, as the original affected versions are outdated and likely lack security patches. The recommended approach involves implementing proper parameter validation that filters or escapes special shell metacharacters before they are processed by system commands. Security controls should include input sanitization techniques such as whitelisting acceptable characters, implementing proper command execution functions that do not rely on direct shell invocation, and employing secure coding practices that prevent the inclusion of user input in system command construction. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious parameter values that contain shell metacharacters. System administrators should also implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized command execution attempts, while the principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure input handling in web applications and aligns with industry best practices for preventing OS command injection attacks as outlined in various security frameworks and standards including those from the OWASP Top Ten project.