CVE-2024-44722 in SysAK
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2026
SysAK v2.0 and before is vulnerable to command execution via aaa;cat /etc/passwd.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-44722 affects SysAK v2.0 and earlier versions, presenting a critical command execution flaw that allows unauthorized users to execute arbitrary system commands through a specific input vector. This vulnerability manifests when a user provides malicious input containing the sequence aaa;cat /etc/passwd, which demonstrates the exploitation mechanism that can lead to complete system compromise. The flaw represents a classic command injection vulnerability that bypasses normal input validation mechanisms, enabling attackers to execute system-level commands with the privileges of the affected application.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category of Command Injection, which is a well-documented weakness in software applications where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization or validation. The specific exploitation technique leverages the semicolon character to separate commands, allowing the attacker to chain multiple operations together. When the application processes the input aaa;cat /etc/passwd, it interprets the semicolon as a command separator and executes both the aaa command followed by the cat /etc/passwd command, effectively allowing an attacker to read the system password file. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can provide attackers with sensitive system information and potentially escalate privileges to gain full system control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a complete breakdown in input validation and command execution handling within the SysAK application. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute a wide range of system commands, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including v2.0, indicating that organizations running these older versions are at significant risk. The exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by threat actors with varying levels of expertise. This vulnerability can be classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the Command and Scripting Interpreter tactic, specifically using the technique of executing commands through command-line interfaces.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and sanitization, proper command execution handling, and application-level restrictions on command execution. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation that filters out special characters such as semicolons, ampersands, and other command separators. Additionally, applications should utilize parameterized commands or secure APIs instead of direct command execution, and implement proper privilege separation to limit the impact of potential exploitation. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in applications that handle user input and execute system commands. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and implement robust patch management processes to ensure timely remediation of identified weaknesses.