CVE-2023-0164 in OrangeScrum
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2023
OrangeScrum version 2.0.11 allows an authenticated external attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the server. This is possible because the application injects an attacker-controlled parameter into a system function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0164 affects OrangeScrum version 2.0.11 and represents a critical command injection flaw that enables authenticated external attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying server. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the application's handling of user-supplied parameters. The flaw allows an attacker who has gained authentication access to the application to manipulate system function calls by injecting malicious parameters that are then executed with the privileges of the web application. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes user input through a system function that directly executes commands on the operating system level. The attacker-controlled parameter gets injected into the system call without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution. This flaw is particularly dangerous because it requires only authentication access to the application rather than administrative privileges, making it accessible to users who have legitimate access to the OrangeScrum system. The attack vector typically involves manipulating parameters within the application's functionality that eventually get passed to system commands, allowing the attacker to execute shell commands and potentially gain complete control over the server.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-0164 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access to command execution capabilities. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, lateral movement within the network, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The compromised server becomes a potential staging ground for further attacks against other systems in the network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with several techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation domains, specifically targeting the use of system commands and command and scripting interpreter techniques. Organizations running affected versions of OrangeScrum face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations due to the severity of the exploit.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-0164 primarily focus on immediate patching and remediation efforts. The most effective solution involves upgrading to a patched version of OrangeScrum that addresses the command injection vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Input validation measures including parameterized queries, proper escaping of special characters, and whitelisting of acceptable input values should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Additionally, monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input handling in web applications, particularly when dealing with system-level operations and user-supplied data processing.