CVE-2008-6557 in webutil
Summary
by MITRE
cgi-bin/webutil.pl in The Puppet Master WebUtil 2.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the details command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6557 affects The Puppet Master WebUtil 2.7 cgi-bin/webutil.pl component, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands on the affected server. This vulnerability resides within the web utility's handling of the details command parameter, where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted shell metacharacters to be interpreted and executed by the underlying operating system. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-77 and CWE-94, which classify it as a command injection vulnerability that permits code execution through improper sanitization of user-supplied data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the web utility's failure to properly sanitize or escape input parameters before incorporating them into shell commands. When an attacker submits malicious shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks as part of the details command parameter, these characters are interpreted by the shell and executed with the privileges of the web server process. This creates a severe escalation path where remote attackers can gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of system commands through web interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform reconnaissance, escalate privileges, establish persistence mechanisms, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt services by executing destructive commands. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. Organizations running this specific version of Puppet Master WebUtil are at significant risk of unauthorized access and system compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browser interactions without requiring specialized tools or privileged access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6557 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected software to the latest available version that addresses the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent shell metacharacter injection, including the use of allow-list validation for command parameters and proper escaping of special characters. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable web utility to untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected systems and implement web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include monitoring for suspicious activities and implementing proper logging mechanisms to track command execution attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts.