CVE-2007-6632 in xml2owl
Summary
by MITRE
showCode.php in xml2owl 0.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6632 resides within the xml2owl 0.1.1 web application, specifically in the showCode.php component. This flaw represents a critical remote command execution vulnerability that enables attackers to inject and execute arbitrary shell commands on the target system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the path parameter processing logic, creating an environment where maliciously crafted input can be interpreted and executed by the underlying shell.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic command injection pattern where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into shell execution contexts without proper sanitization. When the path parameter is processed by showCode.php, it fails to properly escape or validate special shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, backticks, or pipes. This allows an attacker to append malicious commands that get executed with the privileges of the web application user, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations deploying xml2owl 0.1.1 in production environments. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access or prior authentication. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute commands such as system reconnaissance, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or even establish persistent backdoors. The impact extends beyond immediate command execution to potential lateral movement within networks and data destruction capabilities, making this a high-severity threat.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories from the Common Weakness Enumeration taxonomy, specifically addressing improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution contexts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell and T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell, highlighting the exploitation techniques used to achieve system compromise. The vulnerability also relates to T1041 - Exfiltration Over C2 Channel and T1021.004 - Remote Services: SSH, as attackers may use compromised systems for further network infiltration. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and privilege separation to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2007-6632 requires immediate patching of the xml2owl application to version 0.1.2 or later, which contains proper input validation mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper parameter sanitization techniques such as using allowlists for valid path characters, implementing proper shell escaping mechanisms, and employing privilege separation for web application processes can significantly reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to vulnerable components, while regular security audits should verify that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other application components. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of input validation and secure coding practices in preventing remote command execution attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.