CVE-2026-64837 in ICEcoder
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2026
ICEcoder through 8.1 passes an unescaped filesystem path into a shell command in lib/properties.php, allowing authenticated users to inject OS commands through directory names. Attackers can create directories with shell metacharacters in their names and access the Properties function to execute arbitrary commands as the web-server user via popen().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2026
The vulnerability identified in ICEcoder versions up to 8.1 represents a critical server-side command injection flaw rooted in improper input validation and sanitization practices within the application's file management subsystem. Specifically, the defect resides in the lib/properties.php module, which is responsible for handling metadata and configuration properties associated with files and directories managed by the web-based code editor. The core technical failure occurs when an authenticated user provides a filesystem path that contains shell metacharacters as part of a directory name or path structure. Instead of escaping these special characters to ensure they are treated strictly as literal data, the application passes the unescaped string directly into a system call executed via PHP's popen function. This architectural oversight allows the underlying operating system shell interpreter to parse and execute commands embedded within what was intended to be mere file metadata or path information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability grants authenticated attackers significant leverage over the hosting environment. Since ICEcoder typically runs with the privileges of the web server process, successful exploitation results in arbitrary command execution under that same user context. This is particularly dangerous because web server accounts often possess read and write access to application directories, potentially allowing attackers to modify source code, inject malicious scripts, or pivot further into the network if the web server has broader system permissions. The attack vector requires authentication, meaning an attacker must first compromise valid credentials for the ICEcoder interface. However, once authenticated, the ability to create a directory with a name containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, pipes, or backticks enables the injection of arbitrary operating system commands without requiring additional complex payloads beyond simple string manipulation in the path field.
This vulnerability aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) identifiers for Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command, commonly known as CWE-78. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Command and Scripting Interpreter abuse, specifically where attackers leverage legitimate system utilities or scripts to execute malicious commands within the host environment. The lack of strict input validation on filesystem paths is a classic example of trusting user-supplied data without adequate sanitization, violating fundamental principles of secure coding such as least privilege and defense in depth.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements. Administrators should immediately upgrade ICEcoder to version 8.2 or later, where the developers have addressed the input validation flaws in lib/properties.php by properly escaping shell metacharacters before passing them to system functions. In environments where upgrading is not immediately feasible, implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules capable of detecting and blocking OS command injection patterns in HTTP requests targeting file management endpoints can provide temporary protection. Furthermore, restricting the privileges of the web server user account to only those necessary for serving content can limit the blast radius of any successful exploitation attempt. Regular security audits focusing on input validation practices across all modules that interact with the operating system are essential to prevent similar command injection vulnerabilities in other parts of the application stack.