CVE-2022-1986 in gogs
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2022
OS Command Injection in GitHub repository gogs/gogs prior to 0.12.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-1986 represents a critical operating system command injection flaw discovered in the gogs git repository management system prior to version 0.12.9. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's handling of user-supplied data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of gogs when processing certain user inputs, particularly in contexts where commands are constructed dynamically based on user-provided parameters without proper security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through improper handling of user inputs that are directly incorporated into system command executions. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that, when processed by the application, gets interpreted as command-line arguments or shell commands. This typically manifests when the application uses user-supplied data to construct command strings that are then executed through shell interfaces without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The flaw falls under the CWE-77 category of Command Injection, which specifically addresses vulnerabilities where untrusted data is used to construct shell commands without proper validation or escaping.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1986 is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing vulnerable versions of gogs. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the gogs service account, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability can enable attackers to access sensitive data, modify repository contents, install backdoors, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning because gogs is commonly used for internal development environments and code repositories where attackers may gain access to source code, configuration files, and other sensitive information. Organizations using vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches and system infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to upgrade to gogs version 0.12.9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the command injection flaw. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures throughout their applications to prevent similar issues from occurring. The implementation of proper parameterized queries and command execution methods, along with input escaping techniques, should be enforced across all system components. Security controls should include regular vulnerability assessments, automated scanning tools, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and command execution. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust security practices throughout the software development lifecycle.