CVE-2009-20010 in Dogfood
Summary
by MITRE • 08/30/2025
Dogfood CRM version 2.0.10 contains a remote command execution vulnerability in the spell.php script used by its mail subsystem. The vulnerability arises from unsanitized user input passed via a POST request to the data parameter, which is processed by the underlying shell without adequate escaping. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary shell commands and execute them on the server. The flaw is exploitable without authentication and was discovered by researcher LSO.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-20010 affects Dogfood CRM version 2.0.10 and represents a critical remote command execution flaw within the application's mail subsystem. This security weakness exists in the spell.php script which handles spell checking functionality for email communications. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices that fail to properly escape user-supplied data before processing it through the underlying shell environment. The flaw specifically manifests when the application receives a POST request containing user input in the data parameter, which is then directly passed to shell commands without adequate security measures to prevent command injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability places the application at significant risk due to the lack of proper input filtering and sanitization mechanisms. When user data is submitted through the spell.php script, the system fails to validate or escape the input before executing shell commands, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary commands that will execute with the privileges of the web application. This particular flaw is classified as a command injection vulnerability and maps directly to CWE-77, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in a command. The absence of authentication requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any remote attacker without prior access credentials, amplifying the potential impact significantly.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized command execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary shell commands, potentially gaining access to sensitive customer data, system files, and network resources. The vulnerability affects the mail subsystem functionality which is fundamental to CRM operations, making it a critical target for exploitation. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute commands and gain control over affected systems. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target vulnerable installations from anywhere on the internet, making this a particularly concerning security weakness for any organization using this software version.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest available patches from the vendor, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, and restricting access to vulnerable components through network segmentation. The recommended approach involves filtering and escaping all user-supplied input before processing, particularly when that input is destined for shell execution. Security measures should include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious command injection attempts, conducting thorough penetration testing to identify additional vulnerabilities, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized command execution attempts. Additionally, system administrators should review and restrict file permissions for the spell.php script and related components to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a prime example of why input validation and proper security coding practices are essential for preventing command injection attacks in web applications.