CVE-2019-17270 in Yachtcontrol
Summary
by MITRE
Yachtcontrol through 2019-10-06: It's possible to perform direct Operating System commands as an unauthenticated user via the "/pages/systemcall.php?command={COMMAND}" page and parameter, where {COMMAND} will be executed and returning the results to the client. Affects Yachtcontrol webservers disclosed via Dutch GPRS/4G mobile IP-ranges. IP addresses vary due to DHCP client leasing of telco's.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Yachtcontrol web applications that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands on affected servers. The vulnerability exists within the "/pages/systemcall.php" endpoint where user-supplied command parameters are directly passed to the operating system without proper input validation or sanitization. This creates a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under CWE-77, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication credentials, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the vulnerable web server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input sanitization mechanisms within the web application's command execution interface. When an attacker submits a command through the designated parameter, the application directly incorporates this input into system calls without any filtering or escaping of special characters that could alter the intended execution behavior. This allows attackers to chain commands, execute system binaries, or manipulate the underlying operating system in ways that could compromise the entire server. The vulnerability is exacerbated by the fact that these servers are typically deployed in mobile environments with dynamic IP addresses, making them harder to detect and secure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized command execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected servers. Attackers can leverage this access to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, install malware, or use the compromised servers as launch points for further attacks within the network. The specific targeting of Dutch GPRS/4G mobile IP ranges suggests that these servers may be part of maritime or mobile communication infrastructure, potentially exposing critical connectivity services to unauthorized access. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as attackers can effectively operate with elevated privileges without needing legitimate credentials.
The nature of this vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous in environments where the affected servers serve as communication gateways or control systems. The dynamic IP addressing scheme common in mobile networks creates additional challenges for defenders, as traditional network-based detection mechanisms may struggle to identify compromised systems. Security teams must implement comprehensive network monitoring and anomaly detection to identify unauthorized command execution attempts. Organizations should immediately disable or patch the vulnerable systemcall.php endpoint, implement proper input validation and sanitization, and consider network segmentation to limit the potential blast radius of such attacks. Additionally, the use of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious command injection attempts before they can be successfully executed.