CAPEC Definitions

    CAPEC Definitions / CAPEC-88

    CAPEC-88: OS Command Injection

    In this type of an attack, an adversary injects operating system commands into existing application functions. An application that uses untrusted input to build command strings is vulnerable. An adversary can leverage OS command injection in an application to elevate privileges, execute arbitrary commands and compromise the underlying operating system.

    Severity:High
    Possibility:High

    Extended Description

    No Extended Description.

    Mitigations

    Use language APIs rather than relying on passing data to the operating system shell or command line. Doing so ensures that the available protection mechanisms in the language are intact and applicable.

    Filter all incoming data to escape or remove characters or strings that can be potentially misinterpreted as operating system or shell commands

    All application processes should be run with the minimal privileges required. Also, processes must shed privileges as soon as they no longer require them.

    Relationships with other CAPECs

    CAPEC-248: Command Injection

    Prerequisites

    User controllable input used as part of commands to the underlying operating system.

    Related Weaknesses

    CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

    CWE-88: Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')

    CWE-20: Improper Input Validation

    CWE-697: Incorrect Comparison