CVE-2025-63261 in AWStats
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2026
AWStats 8.0 is vulnerable to Command Injection via the open function
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2026
AWStats version 8.0 contains a critical command injection vulnerability that arises from improper input validation within the open function implementation. This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system by manipulating parameters that are directly passed to system commands without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability stems from a lack of proper input filtering and validation mechanisms that should prevent malicious payloads from being interpreted as executable commands. The open function in question processes user-supplied data to determine file operations or system interactions, creating an attack surface where command injection can occur through crafted input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns of command injection attacks where malicious input is concatenated with system commands without proper escaping or encoding. When AWStats processes user input through the open function, it fails to implement proper parameter validation that would prevent attackers from injecting shell metacharacters or command separators. This creates a scenario where an attacker can append additional commands to the intended file operations, effectively gaining unauthorized access to the underlying operating system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories, which specifically address command injection flaws in software applications. These weaknesses are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges and can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution to encompass potential data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and persistent access establishment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially escalate privileges, install backdoors, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects systems where AWStats is deployed for web server log analysis, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on this tool for security monitoring and reporting. The attack surface is broad since AWStats is commonly used across various web hosting environments and security monitoring platforms, increasing the potential exposure of vulnerable systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the AWStats application to the latest available version that addresses this command injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running AWStats to untrusted users. Input validation and sanitization measures should be strengthened at the application level, ensuring that all parameters passed to system functions are properly escaped or encoded. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns or unexpected file access operations that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies as outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework, particularly in the execution and privilege escalation domains where command injection attacks typically manifest.