AWStats ConfigDir Remote Command Execution

A remote command execution vulnerability exists in the awstats.pl script used in the AWStats software package. An attacker is able to inject command execution payloads via crafted requests, resulting in the ability to run arbitrary commands on the target host. 

Exploitation

Stages

1. The attacker sends an HTTP POST request to awstats.pl with the ‘configdir’ parameter containing a command injection payload.
2. The injected command is passed to a pearl function without sanitization and is subsequently executed if escaped via a double-pipe (||).

Prerequisites

You will need AWStats versions 6.2 and below. No authentication is required for successful exploitation of this vulnerability

Alert Logic Coverage

Alert Logic® has evaluated its customer base for exposure to the exploit and has developed signatures for mitigating the threat depending on the security service in place.

The Network-Based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) has been updated with the new signatures for this exploit when detected via Alert Logic Threat Manager™. If this signature is detected, an incident is generated in the Alert Logic console.

Recommendations for Mitigation

Update the software to the latest non-vulnerable version.