CVE-2017-18025 in ITGuard-Manager
Summary
by MITRE
cgi-bin/drknow.cgi in Innotube ITGuard-Manager 0.0.0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via shell metacharacters in the username field, as demonstrated by a username beginning with "admin|" to use the '|' metacharacter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18025 represents a critical command injection flaw in the Innotube ITGuard-Manager version 0.0.0.1 web interface. This vulnerability exists within the cgi-bin/drknow.cgi script which processes user authentication requests. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the username parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject operating system commands directly through the web interface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws where user-supplied data is improperly incorporated into system commands without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted username value containing shell metacharacters such as the pipe character '|'. When the application processes this input without proper sanitization, the operating system interprets the injected commands as legitimate system instructions. The demonstration example shows how prepending 'admin|' to a username allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain full system control, as the system processes the command injection before any proper access controls can be enforced. The vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which covers command and scripting interpreter execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and encompasses complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. An attacker could execute system commands such as reading sensitive files, modifying system configurations, installing backdoors, or even launching attacks against other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects the entire ITGuard-Manager application stack, potentially exposing all users and services running on the compromised system. Given that this is a remote exploitation vector, attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for network-connected systems. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential regulatory compliance violations and significant business disruption.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected ITGuard-Manager version to address the input validation flaws. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms to prevent command injection attacks. The recommended approach involves validating all user inputs against a strict whitelist of allowed characters and implementing proper command execution frameworks that do not directly incorporate user-supplied data into system commands. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to the vulnerable web interface. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. Regular security updates and vulnerability management programs should be enforced to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The remediation efforts should align with industry best practices for secure coding and follow the principle of least privilege to minimize potential damage from similar vulnerabilities.