CVE-2020-13448 in Community Edition
Summary
by MITRE
QuickBox Community Edition through 2.5.5 and Pro Edition through 2.1.8 allows an authenticated remote attacker to execute code on the server via command injection in the servicestart parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-13448 represents a critical command injection flaw within QuickBox Community and Pro editions, affecting versions up to 2.5.5 and 2.1.8 respectively. This vulnerability exists in the servicestart parameter handling mechanism, which permits authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected server. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, creating an avenue for malicious command execution that can compromise the entire system.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77, which categorizes command injection flaws as weaknesses where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization or validation. The attack vector requires an authenticated user session, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to exploit this vulnerability. However, the impact remains severe as authenticated access typically grants significant privileges within the system, potentially allowing for complete compromise of the QuickBox server. The vulnerability's exploitation allows attackers to execute system commands with the privileges of the web application user, which could escalate to root access depending on the server configuration.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-13448 extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the affected system. Once exploited, attackers can install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent command and control channels. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of QuickBox's service management system, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate running services, disable security features, or gain unauthorized access to network resources. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments or systems where QuickBox manages critical infrastructure services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected versions, implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, and enforcing principle of least privilege for web application users. Organizations should also implement network segmentation, monitor for suspicious command execution patterns, and conduct regular security assessments of their QuickBox installations. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions, reviewing authentication mechanisms, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and prevent similar injection attacks. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized command execution attempts and ensure that all user inputs are properly validated before being processed by system commands. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing command injection attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.