CVE-2006-2644 in AWStats
Summary
by MITRE
AWStats 6.5, and possibly other versions, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code by using the configdir parameter to awstats.pl to upload a configuration file whose name contains shell metacharacters, then access that file using the LogFile directive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2644 affects AWStats version 6.5 and potentially other versions of this web-based log file analyzer. This represents a critical security flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and file handling mechanisms within the AWStats configuration processing functionality.
The technical flaw occurs through a combination of insecure file upload handling and shell command execution vulnerabilities. When an authenticated user accesses the awstats.pl script with a specially crafted configdir parameter, the system allows the upload of configuration files containing shell metacharacters in their filenames. This seemingly innocuous file upload mechanism becomes dangerous when the LogFile directive subsequently references this maliciously named configuration file, triggering shell command execution with elevated privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection and improper input validation respectively, which are fundamental weaknesses in application security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected AWStats versions. An authenticated attacker can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands on the web server hosting AWStats, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires only authentication to the AWStats interface, which is often less restricted than other system access points, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous. Once exploited, attackers can gain persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of AWStats, implementing proper input validation for all user-supplied parameters, and restricting file upload capabilities to authenticated users only. The remediation strategy should include disabling unnecessary configuration file upload features and implementing strict filename sanitization mechanisms. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper secure coding practices and input validation, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework's command and control techniques, where such flaws are categorized as privilege escalation and remote code execution vectors that can lead to full system compromise.