CVE-2008-1214 in FootPrints
Summary
by MITRE
MRcgi/MRProcessIncomingForms.pl in Numara FootPrints 8.1 on Linux allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in the PROJECTNUM parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1214 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Numara FootPrints 8.1 software suite running on Linux systems. This vulnerability specifically affects the MRcgi/MRProcessIncomingForms.pl component, which serves as a crucial interface for processing incoming form data within the application's web-based user interface. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle malicious shell metacharacters embedded within the PROJECTNUM parameter. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially formatted input that includes shell command injection sequences, allowing them to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with the privileges of the web server process.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under the broader category of insecure input handling. The flaw operates by bypassing normal input validation procedures and directly passing user-supplied data through to shell execution contexts without proper sanitization. This allows attackers to chain together malicious commands that can manipulate the underlying operating system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations utilizing Numara FootPrints 8.1 in production environments. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network infrastructure. The attack surface is broad as the vulnerability affects the web interface component that handles user submissions, making it accessible to anyone with network access to the application. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations and potential data breaches if this vulnerability is exploited, particularly in environments where the application processes sensitive business or customer information. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1214 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Numara FootPrints 8.1 installation with the vendor-provided security update. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the vulnerable web interface, particularly by blocking external access to the application's administrative and user submission endpoints. Input validation controls should be strengthened at the application level to sanitize all user-supplied parameters, particularly those that may be processed through shell contexts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous patterns in web traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts, including unusual command sequences or parameter values. Additionally, network segmentation and principle of least privilege access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, preventing lateral movement and data exfiltration from compromised systems.