CVE-2015-0898 in MP Form Mail CGI
Summary
by MITRE
futomi CGI Cafe MP Form Mail CGI eCommerce before 2.0.12 on Windows allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Perl code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0898 affects futomi CGI Cafe MP Form Mail CGI eCommerce version 2.0.11 and earlier on Windows platforms, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that enables attackers to execute arbitrary Perl code on affected systems. This vulnerability resides within the form mail CGI component that processes user input through web forms, creating an attack surface where malicious input can be interpreted as executable code rather than benign data. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple input parameters or processing paths within the CGI script could be exploited, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it may be accessible through various attack vectors including form submissions, URL parameters, or other user-controllable inputs. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw indicates that no local access or authentication is required for exploitation, making it highly attractive to attackers seeking to compromise systems remotely. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the principle of input validation and proper code execution boundaries within web applications.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and validation mechanisms within the CGI script implementation, allowing malicious payloads to bypass normal processing and be interpreted as executable Perl commands. This represents a classic example of a command injection vulnerability where user-supplied data flows directly into system execution contexts without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where CGI scripts process web requests, and the flaw likely exists in how the script handles form field data, particularly in areas where dynamic code execution or system command invocation occurs. The use of Perl scripting within a Windows environment introduces additional complexity, as the vulnerability may leverage platform-specific command execution mechanisms or Perl module handling that could be manipulated to achieve arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, specifically addressing improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution and improper control of generation of code, respectively, both of which fall under the broader ATT&CK technique of Command and Scripting Interpreter for execution of malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as remote attackers can gain complete control over affected systems and potentially use them as launch points for further attacks within networks. Successful exploitation could lead to data theft, system compromise, and potential lateral movement throughout network infrastructure, especially in environments where the compromised system has access to sensitive resources. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation if the CGI process runs with elevated permissions, and could enable attackers to establish persistent access through backdoor creation or system modification. Organizations running this vulnerable software are at risk of experiencing full system compromise, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations depending on the nature of data processed through the affected form mail functionality. The vulnerability's presence in eCommerce applications particularly increases risk as attackers could exploit it to access customer data, payment information, or manipulate transaction processing. The potential for automated exploitation increases the severity, as this vulnerability could be targeted by automated scanning tools and exploit frameworks, amplifying the impact across multiple systems simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to version 2.0.12 or later of the futomi CGI Cafe MP Form Mail CGI eCommerce software, which contains patches addressing the input validation issues that enable the code execution. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all user-controllable data entering the system, particularly focusing on web form inputs and CGI parameter handling. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potential vulnerabilities in similar CGI applications. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests, disabling unnecessary CGI functionality, and conducting regular security audits of web applications to identify and remediate similar input validation flaws. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls around CGI applications, as these scripts often represent legacy components with insufficient security considerations in their original design. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect suspicious activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities.