CVE-2022-0073 in OpenLiteSpeed
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2022
Improper Input Validation vulnerability in LiteSpeed Technologies OpenLiteSpeed Web Server Dashboard allows Command Injection. This affects 1.7.0 versions before 1.7.16.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2022
The CVE-2022-0073 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the OpenLiteSpeed web server dashboard that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets version 1.7.0 through 1.7.16.0 of the OpenLiteSpeed web server software, creating a dangerous command injection vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The flaw exists within the dashboard component of the web server, which serves as the primary administrative interface for managing server configurations and operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the web server dashboard fails to properly sanitize or validate user inputs before processing them within the command execution context. When administrators or authenticated users interact with the dashboard interface, certain parameters are passed directly to system commands without adequate filtering or escaping mechanisms. This improper input validation creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious commands that will be executed with the privileges of the web server process, typically running with elevated system permissions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, which specifically address command injection and code injection flaws respectively, making it a direct descendant of well-established security weaknesses in software development practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server instance. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to sensitive server data, complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify server configurations, steal administrative credentials, or use the compromised server as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the dashboard interface is often accessible to administrators who may have elevated privileges, and the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring additional authentication credentials beyond those needed to access the dashboard itself.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to OpenLiteSpeed version 1.7.16.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation deficiencies. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the dashboard interface to only authorized personnel, while implementing additional monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect suspicious activities. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization measures as additional defensive layers. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, and emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.