CVE-2008-0892 in Fedora Directory Server
Summary
by MITRE
The replication monitor CGI script (repl-monitor-cgi.pl) in Red Hat Administration Server, as used by Red Hat Directory Server 8.0 EL4 and EL5, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0892 represents a critical command injection flaw within the replication monitor CGI script of Red Hat Administration Server, specifically affecting Red Hat Directory Server versions 8.0 EL4 and EL5. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web-based administrative interface, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious commands on the affected system. The vulnerability resides in the repl-monitor-cgi.pl script which serves as a monitoring utility for directory server replication processes, making it a prime target for exploitation by threat actors seeking unauthorized access to directory services infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input parameters within the CGI script. When the replication monitor receives input through web requests, the script fails to properly sanitize or validate the data before incorporating it into system commands or shell executions. This lack of input validation creates a classic command injection scenario where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted and executed as shell commands by the underlying operating system. The flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the web server's execution environment to process malicious input, effectively bypassing normal access controls and security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to completely compromise the affected directory server infrastructure. Successful exploitation enables adversaries to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, typically running as a privileged user such as root or a dedicated service account. This capability allows attackers to escalate their access to perform reconnaissance, modify directory content, extract sensitive information, or establish persistent access through backdoor installations. The vulnerability particularly impacts organizations relying on Red Hat Directory Server for critical identity management functions, as compromise of the directory server can lead to widespread authentication failures and unauthorized access to enterprise resources.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, disabling or removing the vulnerable CGI script from production environments, and implementing network segmentation to restrict access to administrative interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing command injection weaknesses in input validation and execution contexts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and scripting interpreter execution, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms, as attackers can leverage the compromised system to establish long-term access and expand their operational capabilities within the target environment.