CWE-88
AllowedImproper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product constructs a string for a command to be executed by a separate component in another control sphere, but it does not properly delimit the intended arguments, options, or switches within that command string.
551 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-7M77-2M34-VFR8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-06-08 21:30 – Updated: 2025-06-08 21:30Products that incorporate the Microhard BulletLTE-NA2 and IPn4Gii-NA2 are vulnerable to a post-authentication command injection issue in the AT+MFRULE command that can lead to privilege escalation. This is an instance of CWE-88, "Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')," and is estimated as a CVSS 7.1 (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N). This issue has not been generally fixed at the time of this CVE record's first publishing.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-35007"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-06-08T21:15:32Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Products that incorporate the Microhard BulletLTE-NA2 and IPn4Gii-NA2 are vulnerable to a post-authentication command injection issue in the AT+MFRULE command that can lead to privilege escalation. This is an instance of CWE-88,\u00a0\"Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command (\u0027Argument Injection\u0027),\" and is estimated as a CVSS 7.1 (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N). This issue has not been generally fixed at the time of this CVE record\u0027s first publishing.",
"id": "GHSA-7m77-2m34-vfr8",
"modified": "2025-06-08T21:30:30Z",
"published": "2025-06-08T21:30:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-35007"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.microhardcorp.com/portal/en/kb/articles/ipn4gii-bullet-lte-firmware"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://takeonme.org/cves/cve-2025-35007"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.microhardcorp.com/BulletLTE-NA2.php"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.microhardcorp.com/IPn4Gii-NA2.php"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-7PF5-HFGR-CH72
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-04-30 18:17 – Updated: 2022-04-30 18:17PHP 4.0.5 through 4.1.0 in safe mode does not properly cleanse the 5th parameter to the mail() function, which allows local users and possibly remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2001-1246"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2001-06-30T04:00:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "PHP 4.0.5 through 4.1.0 in safe mode does not properly cleanse the 5th parameter to the mail() function, which allows local users and possibly remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters.",
"id": "GHSA-7pf5-hfgr-ch72",
"modified": "2022-04-30T18:17:38Z",
"published": "2022-04-30T18:17:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2001-1246"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://online.securityfocus.com/archive/1/194425"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.iss.net/security_center/static/6787.php"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.php.net/do_download.php?download_file=php-4.1.2.tar.gz"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2002-102.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2002-129.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2003-159.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/2954"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-7R3R-JP3H-R9VX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:11 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:11Quectel EG25-G devices through 202006130814 allow executing arbitrary code remotely by using an AT command to place shell metacharacters in quectel_handle_fumo_cfg input in atfwd_daemon.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-31698"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-78",
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-08-12T22:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Quectel EG25-G devices through 202006130814 allow executing arbitrary code remotely by using an AT command to place shell metacharacters in quectel_handle_fumo_cfg input in atfwd_daemon.",
"id": "GHSA-7r3r-jp3h-r9vx",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:11:09Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:11:09Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-31698"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://nns.ee/blog/2021/04/03/modem-rce.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-7RM6-P2MG-763G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-08-04 18:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 06:34Connected IO v2.1.0 and prior has an argument injection vulnerability in its AT command message in its communication protocol, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands on devices.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-33378"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-08-04T18:15:12Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Connected IO v2.1.0 and prior has an argument injection vulnerability in its AT command message in its communication protocol, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands on devices.",
"id": "GHSA-7rm6-p2mg-763g",
"modified": "2024-04-04T06:34:00Z",
"published": "2023-08-04T18:30:39Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-33378"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://claroty.com/team82/disclosure-dashboard/cve-2023-33378"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.connectedio.com/products/routers"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-7VQR-7R5J-C84J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-29 15:32 – Updated: 2026-07-08 18:31A flaw was found in the vscode-java extension, which provides Java language support for Visual Studio Code. The extension incorrectly trusts all Markdown content in JavaDoc hovers, allowing a malicious Java file to include hidden commands. If a user clicks a specially crafted link within a JavaDoc hover popup, an attacker can execute arbitrary VS Code commands, which can lead to full system compromise in trusted workspaces.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-12856"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-29T14:16:41Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A flaw was found in the vscode-java extension, which provides Java language support for Visual Studio Code. The extension incorrectly trusts all Markdown content in JavaDoc hovers, allowing a malicious Java file to include hidden commands. If a user clicks a specially crafted link within a JavaDoc hover popup, an attacker can execute arbitrary VS Code commands, which can lead to full system compromise in trusted workspaces.",
"id": "GHSA-7vqr-7r5j-c84j",
"modified": "2026-07-08T18:31:32Z",
"published": "2026-06-29T15:32:05Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/redhat-developer/vscode-java/security/advisories/GHSA-7qv8-6qrw-3crv"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-12856"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:36820"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-12856"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2491278"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-12856.json"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-7WQ6-WXF9-CP78
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-07-17 21:32 – Updated: 2025-07-17 21:32An improper validation vulnerability was reported in Lenovo Vantage that under certain conditions could allow a local attacker to execute code with elevated permissions by modifying specific registry locations.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-6232"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-07-17T20:15:31Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An improper validation vulnerability was reported in Lenovo Vantage that under certain conditions could allow a local attacker to execute code with elevated permissions by modifying specific registry locations.",
"id": "GHSA-7wq6-wxf9-cp78",
"modified": "2025-07-17T21:32:16Z",
"published": "2025-07-17T21:32:16Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-6232"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/product_security/LEN-196648"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-7X8G-H246-GVX3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:37 – Updated: 2024-04-24 20:31Dolibarr 12.0.3 is vulnerable to authenticated Remote Code Execution. An attacker who has the access the admin dashboard can manipulate the backup function by inserting a payload into the filename for the zipfilename_template parameter to admin/tools/dolibarr_export.php.
{
"affected": [
{
"database_specific": {
"last_known_affected_version_range": "\u003c= 12.0.3"
},
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Packagist",
"name": "dolibarr/dolibarr"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "12.0.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-35136"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77",
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2024-04-24T20:31:29Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2020-12-23T15:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Dolibarr 12.0.3 is vulnerable to authenticated Remote Code Execution. An attacker who has the access the admin dashboard can manipulate the backup function by inserting a payload into the filename for the zipfilename_template parameter to admin/tools/dolibarr_export.php.",
"id": "GHSA-7x8g-h246-gvx3",
"modified": "2024-04-24T20:31:29Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:37:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-35136"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Dolibarr/dolibarr/commit/4fcd3fe49332baab0e424225ad10b76b47ebcbac"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/Dolibarr/dolibarr"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Dolibarr/dolibarr/releases"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://sourceforge.net/projects/dolibarr"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bilishim.com/2020/12/18/zero-hunting-2.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Dolibarr authenticated Remote Code Execution"
}
GHSA-827F-M9XX-4CFW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:34 – Updated: 2022-08-05 00:00Go before 1.14.12 and 1.15.x before 1.15.5 allows Argument Injection.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-28367"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88",
"CWE-94"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-11-18T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Go before 1.14.12 and 1.15.x before 1.15.5 allows Argument Injection.",
"id": "GHSA-827f-m9xx-4cfw",
"modified": "2022-08-05T00:00:28Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:34:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-28367"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/golang/go/issues/42556"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://go.dev/cl/267277"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://go.dev/issue/42556"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://go.googlesource.com/go/+/da7aa86917811a571e6634b45a457f918b8e6561"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://groups.google.com/g/golang-announce/c/NpBGTTmKzpM"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd02e75766cd333a0df417588460f5e4477060633000bfe94955851fd@%3Cissues.trafficcontrol.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/11/msg00038.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/04/msg00021.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/2W4COUPL3YVTZ6RTEIT6LPBDJUFF3VSP"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/F3ZSHGNTJWCWYAKY5OLZS2XQQYHSXSUO"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://pkg.go.dev/vuln/GO-2022-0476"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-02"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201202-0004"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-8332-3263-RVX8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-09 09:30 – Updated: 2026-07-09 09:30Argument Injection in bosh-cli allows a compromised BOSH Director to inject arbitrary OpenSSH options into the locally-spawned ssh process when an operator runs bosh ssh -c, bosh logs -f, or other non-interactive SSH paths, leading to local command execution on the operator's workstation. Affected versions: bosh-cli versions prior to v7.10.4.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-47829"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-07-09T07:16:24Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Argument Injection in bosh-cli allows a compromised BOSH Director to inject arbitrary OpenSSH options into the locally-spawned ssh process when an operator runs bosh ssh -c, bosh logs -f, or other non-interactive SSH paths, leading to local command execution on the operator\u0027s workstation.\nAffected versions: bosh-cli versions prior to v7.10.4.",
"id": "GHSA-8332-3263-rvx8",
"modified": "2026-07-09T09:30:28Z",
"published": "2026-07-09T09:30:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-47829"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cloudfoundry.org/blog/cve-2026-47829-argument-injection-in-bosh-cli-allows-local-command-execution-on-operator-workstations-via-compromised-director"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-838R-W3FQ-8QQQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-01-28 12:31 – Updated: 2025-01-28 12:31Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in the TeamViewer_service.exe component of TeamViewer Clients prior version 15.62 for Windows allows an attacker with local unprivileged access on a Windows system to elevate privileges via argument injection.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-0065"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-01-28T11:15:07Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in the TeamViewer_service.exe component of TeamViewer Clients prior version 15.62 for Windows allows an attacker with local unprivileged access on a Windows system to elevate privileges via argument injection.",
"id": "GHSA-838r-w3fq-8qqq",
"modified": "2025-01-28T12:31:08Z",
"published": "2025-01-28T12:31:08Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-0065"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.teamviewer.com/en/resources/trust-center/security-bulletins/tv-2025-1001"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
Strategy: Parameterization
Where possible, avoid building a single string that contains the command and its arguments. Some languages or frameworks have functions that support specifying independent arguments, e.g. as an array, which is used to automatically perform the appropriate quoting or escaping while building the command. For example, in PHP, escapeshellarg() can be used to escape a single argument to system(), or exec() can be called with an array of arguments. In C, code can often be refactored from using system() - which accepts a single string - to using exec(), which requires separate function arguments for each parameter.
Mitigation
Strategy: Input Validation
Understand all the potential areas where untrusted inputs can enter your product: parameters or arguments, cookies, anything read from the network, environment variables, request headers as well as content, URL components, e-mail, files, databases, and any external systems that provide data to the application. Perform input validation at well-defined interfaces.
Mitigation MIT-5
Strategy: Input Validation
- Assume all input is malicious. Use an "accept known good" input validation strategy, i.e., use a list of acceptable inputs that strictly conform to specifications. Reject any input that does not strictly conform to specifications, or transform it into something that does.
- When performing input validation, consider all potentially relevant properties, including length, type of input, the full range of acceptable values, missing or extra inputs, syntax, consistency across related fields, and conformance to business rules. As an example of business rule logic, "boat" may be syntactically valid because it only contains alphanumeric characters, but it is not valid if the input is only expected to contain colors such as "red" or "blue."
- Do not rely exclusively on looking for malicious or malformed inputs. This is likely to miss at least one undesirable input, especially if the code's environment changes. This can give attackers enough room to bypass the intended validation. However, denylists can be useful for detecting potential attacks or determining which inputs are so malformed that they should be rejected outright.
Mitigation
Directly convert your input type into the expected data type, such as using a conversion function that translates a string into a number. After converting to the expected data type, ensure that the input's values fall within the expected range of allowable values and that multi-field consistencies are maintained.
Mitigation
- Inputs should be decoded and canonicalized to the application's current internal representation before being validated (CWE-180, CWE-181). Make sure that your application does not inadvertently decode the same input twice (CWE-174). Such errors could be used to bypass allowlist schemes by introducing dangerous inputs after they have been checked. Use libraries such as the OWASP ESAPI Canonicalization control.
- Consider performing repeated canonicalization until your input does not change any more. This will avoid double-decoding and similar scenarios, but it might inadvertently modify inputs that are allowed to contain properly-encoded dangerous content.
Mitigation
When exchanging data between components, ensure that both components are using the same character encoding. Ensure that the proper encoding is applied at each interface. Explicitly set the encoding you are using whenever the protocol allows you to do so.
Mitigation
When your application combines data from multiple sources, perform the validation after the sources have been combined. The individual data elements may pass the validation step but violate the intended restrictions after they have been combined.
Mitigation
Use dynamic tools and techniques that interact with the product using large test suites with many diverse inputs, such as fuzz testing (fuzzing), robustness testing, and fault injection. The product's operation may slow down, but it should not become unstable, crash, or generate incorrect results.
CAPEC-137: Parameter Injection
An adversary manipulates the content of request parameters for the purpose of undermining the security of the target. Some parameter encodings use text characters as separators. For example, parameters in a HTTP GET message are encoded as name-value pairs separated by an ampersand (&). If an attacker can supply text strings that are used to fill in these parameters, then they can inject special characters used in the encoding scheme to add or modify parameters. For example, if user input is fed directly into an HTTP GET request and the user provides the value "myInput&new_param=myValue", then the input parameter is set to myInput, but a new parameter (new_param) is also added with a value of myValue. This can significantly change the meaning of the query that is processed by the server. Any encoding scheme where parameters are identified and separated by text characters is potentially vulnerable to this attack - the HTTP GET encoding used above is just one example.
CAPEC-174: Flash Parameter Injection
An adversary takes advantage of improper data validation to inject malicious global parameters into a Flash file embedded within an HTML document. Flash files can leverage user-submitted data to configure the Flash document and access the embedding HTML document.
CAPEC-41: Using Meta-characters in E-mail Headers to Inject Malicious Payloads
This type of attack involves an attacker leveraging meta-characters in email headers to inject improper behavior into email programs. Email software has become increasingly sophisticated and feature-rich. In addition, email applications are ubiquitous and connected directly to the Web making them ideal targets to launch and propagate attacks. As the user demand for new functionality in email applications grows, they become more like browsers with complex rendering and plug in routines. As more email functionality is included and abstracted from the user, this creates opportunities for attackers. Virtually all email applications do not list email header information by default, however the email header contains valuable attacker vectors for the attacker to exploit particularly if the behavior of the email client application is known. Meta-characters are hidden from the user, but can contain scripts, enumerations, probes, and other attacks against the user's system.
CAPEC-460: HTTP Parameter Pollution (HPP)
An adversary adds duplicate HTTP GET/POST parameters by injecting query string delimiters. Via HPP it may be possible to override existing hardcoded HTTP parameters, modify the application behaviors, access and, potentially exploit, uncontrollable variables, and bypass input validation checkpoints and WAF rules.
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.