CVE-2008-6937 in Exodus
Summary
by MITRE
Argument injection vulnerability in Exodus 0.10 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary command line arguments, overwrite arbitrary files, and cause a denial of service via encoded spaces in an xmpp:// URI, a different vector than CVE-2008-6935 and CVE-2008-6936. 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 • 11/21/2018
The CVE-2008-6937 vulnerability represents a critical argument injection flaw within the Exodus 0.10 application that enables remote attackers to manipulate command line arguments through specially crafted xmpp:// URIs. This vulnerability specifically exploits the improper handling of encoded spaces within URI parsing mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on vulnerable systems. The flaw demonstrates the dangerous intersection of URI parsing logic and command execution pathways, where seemingly benign URI parameters can be transformed into dangerous command line arguments that bypass normal security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the Exodus application's URI processing module. When the application encounters an xmpp:// URI containing encoded spaces, the parsing logic fails to properly escape or validate these special characters, allowing attackers to inject additional command line arguments that get executed by the underlying system shell. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in command lines, and represents a classic example of command injection through protocol handling flaws. The encoded space manipulation technique leverages the fact that certain URI encodings can be interpreted as argument separators or command delimiters, effectively breaking out of the intended execution context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution to encompass multiple attack vectors including arbitrary file overwrites and denial of service conditions. Attackers can craft malicious xmpp:// URIs that, when processed by the vulnerable Exodus application, result in the modification of critical system files or the execution of destructive commands that cause system instability. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require local access or authentication to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted URI content. This vulnerability also demonstrates the broader threat landscape where protocol handlers become attack surfaces, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on the exploitation of application-specific protocol handlers.
The unique aspect of CVE-2008-6937 lies in its distinct exploitation vector compared to related vulnerabilities CVE-2008-6935 and CVE-2008-6936, which suggests a more targeted approach to URI parsing manipulation. This distinction indicates that the vulnerability exists specifically within the handling of encoded spaces in xmpp:// URI schemes rather than broader command injection patterns. The vulnerability's classification as argument injection rather than simple command injection reflects the specific mechanism by which the attack occurs through argument manipulation rather than direct command execution. Security practitioners should recognize this as a protocol-specific vulnerability that requires careful review of URI handling logic in applications that process external protocol schemes, particularly those involving instant messaging or communication protocols.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization of all URI parameters, particularly those involving encoded characters and special symbols. The application should employ proper escaping mechanisms for all URI components before any processing occurs, ensuring that encoded spaces and other special characters are properly neutralized. Additionally, the system should implement strict argument parsing rules that prevent injection of additional command line arguments through URI processing. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections such as URI filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to prevent execution of potentially malicious URI content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices that address CWE-77 and similar command injection vulnerabilities through comprehensive input validation and proper separation of concerns between URI parsing and command execution components.