CVE-2012-6329 in Perl
Summary
by MITRE
The _compile function in Maketext.pm in the Locale::Maketext implementation in Perl before 5.17.7 does not properly handle backslashes and fully qualified method names during compilation of bracket notation, which allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary commands via crafted input to an application that accepts translation strings from users, as demonstrated by the TWiki application before 5.1.3, and the Foswiki application 1.0.x through 1.0.10 and 1.1.x through 1.1.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6329 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Locale::Maketext Perl module implementation that affects Perl versions prior to 5.17.7. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of backslashes and fully qualified method names during the compilation process of bracket notation within the _compile function of Maketext.pm. The flaw exists in the way the module processes translation strings that contain user-supplied input, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on systems running affected software.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection. The vulnerability manifests when applications that utilize the Locale::Maketext module accept translation strings from untrusted sources and subsequently process them through the _compile function. The specific flaw occurs during bracket notation compilation where backslash escaping mechanisms fail to properly sanitize input containing method names, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that bypass normal input validation. This occurs because the module does not adequately distinguish between literal backslashes in user input and escape sequences that should be interpreted as part of method invocation syntax.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as demonstrated by its exploitation in widely-used content management systems such as TWiki before version 5.1.3 and Foswiki versions 1.0.x through 1.0.10 and 1.1.x through 1.1.6. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on vulnerable systems with the privileges of the web application process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The context-dependent nature of the attack means that exploitation requires a vulnerable application that accepts user input for translation strings and processes them through the affected Locale::Maketext functionality. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in web applications where users might be able to influence translation content through various input mechanisms such as configuration settings, user profiles, or content management interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6329 primarily focus on upgrading to Perl version 5.17.7 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and sanitization for any user-supplied translation strings that are processed by applications using Locale::Maketext. Additionally, application developers should avoid passing user-controlled data directly into translation string compilation processes and consider implementing proper escaping mechanisms for backslash characters in translation strings. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual command execution patterns and unauthorized modifications to translation files. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input sanitization in internationalization frameworks and the potential for injection flaws in seemingly benign string processing functions. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this class of vulnerability.