CVE-2000-1228 in Phorum
Summary
by MITRE
Phorum 3.0.7 allows remote attackers to change the administrator password without authentication via an HTTP request for admin.php3 that sets step, option, confirm and newPssword variables.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-1228 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in Phorum version 3.0.7, a widely used web-based discussion forum software. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and authentication mechanisms within the administrative interface, specifically targeting the admin.php3 script that handles administrative functions. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to manipulate administrative parameters through direct HTTP requests, effectively circumventing the normal authentication process required to access administrative controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted HTTP request that directly sets multiple administrative variables including step, option, confirm, and newPssword parameters. This method of attack falls under the category of insecure direct object reference vulnerabilities as described in CWE-639, where the application fails to properly validate user access rights before processing administrative requests. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper authorization checks, as the application processes administrative commands without verifying that the requesting user possesses appropriate administrative privileges. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to completely compromise administrative access to the forum through a simple HTTP request without requiring any valid credentials or prior access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected Phorum installation. Once an attacker successfully changes the administrator password, they gain full privileges to modify forum content, delete posts, manipulate user accounts, and potentially use the compromised forum as a platform for further attacks against other systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials and bypasses, as attackers can leverage this weakness to assume administrative roles without detection. The attack vector is particularly concerning for organizations running multiple Phorum installations, as it could lead to widespread compromise of discussion forums and associated user data. Additionally, the vulnerability could be exploited to establish persistent backdoors or to use the compromised forum for malicious activities such as spam distribution or phishing attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application of security patches provided by the Phorum developers, as well as implementation of network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict access to administrative scripts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter manipulation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication checks, as outlined in CWE-284 which addresses improper access control. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other web applications, particularly those that handle administrative functions through direct parameter manipulation. System administrators should also implement proper logging and monitoring of administrative activities to detect unauthorized access attempts and password changes that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.