CVE-2018-18322 in CentOS Web Panel
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
CentOS-WebPanel.com (aka CWP) CentOS Web Panel 0.9.8.480 has Command Injection via shell metacharacters in the admin/index.php service_start, service_restart, service_fullstatus, or service_stop parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2025
CentOS Web Panel CWP version 0.9.8.480 contains a critical command injection vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. This vulnerability exists within the administrative web interface where the service_start, service_restart, service_fullstatus, and service_stop parameters are processed without proper input sanitization or validation. The flaw enables attackers to inject shell metacharacters that are subsequently executed by the system's command processor, creating a severe privilege escalation vector that can compromise the entire server infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the web application's backend processing logic. When administrators or authenticated users interact with the service management functions through the web interface, the parameters passed to these functions are directly incorporated into system commands without adequate sanitization. This creates a classic command injection scenario where malicious input can alter the intended command execution flow. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious payloads that include shell operators such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, which are then interpreted by the system shell and executed with the privileges of the web application process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides attackers with full system access capabilities that extend far beyond simple service management. Once exploited, an attacker can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functionality of the panel, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by both authenticated and unauthenticated attackers depending on the panel's configuration. The affected parameters span multiple service management operations, providing attackers with versatile attack vectors that can be used to manipulate system services, access sensitive files, or establish persistent access to the compromised system.
Organizations using CentOS Web Panel version 0.9.8.480 should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest available version, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, and restricting access to the administrative interface through network segmentation and authentication controls. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software applications, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as well as T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Security measures should include monitoring for unusual command execution patterns, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses in other applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing practices that identify injection vulnerabilities in administrative interfaces.