CVE-2007-0849 in SysCP
Summary
by MITRE
scripts/cronscript.php in SysCP 1.2.15 and earlier does not properly quote pathnames in user home directories, which allows local users to gain privileges by placing shell metacharacters in a directory name, and then using the control panel to protect this directory, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-2568.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0849 resides within the SysCP control panel version 1.2.15 and earlier, specifically within the scripts/cronscript.php component. This issue represents a classic command injection flaw that exploits improper handling of pathname quoting in user home directories. The vulnerability stems from the software's failure to properly sanitize or escape special characters in directory names during automated cron job execution processes, creating a path traversal and privilege escalation vector for local attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of shell metacharacters within user directory names to execute arbitrary commands through the control panel's automated processes. When administrators use the control panel to protect directories, the underlying cronscript.php fails to properly quote or escape pathname arguments before passing them to shell commands. This allows attackers to insert special shell characters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks into directory names, which then get interpreted as command separators or operators when the cron script executes, effectively enabling command injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential full system compromise. Local users who can create or modify directory names within the SysCP environment can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the cron daemon or web server process. This represents a significant security risk as it allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain root or administrative privileges depending on the execution context of the cron processes. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments where multiple users have access to the control panel interface.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-78 and CWE-88, which address improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands and command injection respectively. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of malicious commands through shell injection. Organizations using SysCP should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to versions that properly sanitize pathname inputs, implementing proper input validation and escaping mechanisms, and ensuring that cron scripts properly quote all user-supplied arguments before shell execution. Additionally, access controls should be tightened to limit directory creation privileges and regular security audits should be conducted to identify potential command injection vectors in automated scripts.