CVE-2014-0359 in XSR
Summary
by MITRE
Xangati XSR before 11 and XNR before 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a gui_input_test.pl params parameter to servlet/Installer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0359 represents a critical command injection flaw within Xangati XSR and XNR software versions prior to 11 and 7 respectively. This security weakness resides in the web-based installer servlet component that processes user input through the gui_input_test.pl parameter. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter shell metacharacters, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can inject arbitrary commands into the system. The affected software operates under the assumption that all input from the web interface is safe, which creates a dangerous trust model that attackers can leverage for unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands by crafting malicious input that includes shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks within the gui_input_test.pl parameter. When the servlet processes this parameter without proper sanitization, the system interprets the injected commands as legitimate shell instructions, leading to unauthorized execution of code on the target system. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, and specifically aligns with the command injection category that affects system integrity and confidentiality. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no local access or authentication, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited from anywhere on the network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain full system control over affected installations. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations running vulnerable Xangati software face significant risk of unauthorized access to their monitoring and network analysis systems, which could lead to exposure of sensitive network traffic data and operational intelligence. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from outside the organization's network perimeter, making traditional network security controls less effective against this specific threat. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as exploitation typically involves leveraging existing system access to execute malicious commands.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0359 require immediate patching of affected software versions to the latest releases that contain proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should implement comprehensive input filtering at multiple layers including web application firewalls, application-level validation, and system-level command execution restrictions. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit potential attack surfaces, while regular security assessments should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the software stack. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the vulnerability is properly addressed. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms that can detect and prevent command injection attempts, as well as establish monitoring procedures to identify potential exploitation attempts through unusual command execution patterns or network traffic anomalies.