Linux Directory Penguin Nslookup 1.0 nslookup.pl query/type privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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9.8$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Linux Directory Penguin Nslookup 1.0. Affected is an unknown function of the file nslookup.pl. The manipulation of the argument query/type leads to privileges management. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2002-0489. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Directory Penguin Nslookup 1.0 and classified as very critical. This issue affects some unknown functionality of the file nslookup.pl. The manipulation of the argument query/type with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Linux Directory Penguin NsLookup CGI script (nslookup.pl) 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in the (1) query or (2) type parameters.

The bug was discovered 03/22/2002. The weakness was published 08/12/2002 (Website). The advisory is shared at marc.info. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2002-0489. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/16/2025). MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1068 for this issue.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 143 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $5k-$25k. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 10537 (Linux Directory Penguin NSLookup Perl Script Arbitrary File Reading Vulnerability).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (8601), SecurityFocus (BID 4353†), OSVDB (10431†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-5964†). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Vendor

Name

Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.8

VulDB Base Score: 9.8
VulDB Temp Score: 9.8
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Privileges management
CWE: CWE-269 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

03/22/2002 🔍
03/23/2002 +1 days 🔍
03/23/2002 +0 days 🔍
08/12/2002 +142 days 🔍
08/12/2002 +0 days 🔍
11/23/2004 +834 days 🔍
07/22/2014 +3528 days 🔍
09/16/2025 +4074 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: marc.info
Status: Not defined

CVE: CVE-2002-0489 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2002-0489
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-18545
X-Force: 8601
SecurityFocus: 4353 - Linux Directory Penguin NSLookup Perl Script Arbitrary File Reading Vulnerability
OSVDB: 10431 - Linux Directory Penguin - NSLookup - Perl Script Arbitrary File Reading Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 5964 - Linux Directory Penguin NsLookup 1.0 Allows Reading Files and Executing Commands, High

Entryinfo

Created: 07/22/2014 22:04
Updated: 09/16/2025 16:46
Changes: 07/22/2014 22:04 (57), 06/03/2019 23:38 (3), 09/16/2025 16:46 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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