CVE-2001-0088 in phpWebLog
Summary
by MITRE
common.inc.php in phpWebLog 0.4.2 does not properly initialize the $CONF array, which inadvertently sets the password to a single character, allowing remote attackers to easily guess the SiteKey and gain administrative privileges to phpWebLog.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0088 represents a critical security flaw in phpWebLog version 0.4.2 that stems from improper initialization of configuration variables within the common.inc.php file. This issue creates a predictable authentication weakness that directly enables unauthorized administrative access to the web logging application. The flaw occurs when the $CONF array fails to properly initialize during the application startup process, resulting in the password field being set to a single character value. This misconfiguration creates a significant attack surface that violates fundamental security principles of proper variable initialization and credential management.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of uninitialized variable exposure that falls under CWE-457, which addresses the use of uninitialized variables in software development. The improper initialization of the $CONF array creates a predictable state where the SiteKey becomes easily guessable, effectively undermining the authentication mechanism of the phpWebLog application. Attackers can exploit this weakness by leveraging the single-character password value to gain administrative privileges without requiring complex exploitation techniques. The vulnerability operates at the application level and requires no special privileges or access to execute successfully.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-0088 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the phpWebLog system. This includes the ability to modify or delete log entries, alter system configurations, and potentially use the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations relying on phpWebLog for web analytics, as it allows attackers to manipulate or destroy critical log data that may contain important security information or business intelligence. The ease of exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where phpWebLog is deployed without proper network segmentation or monitoring controls.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent administrative access to the web application without detection, potentially remaining undetected for extended periods. Organizations should consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual authentication patterns or access attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and initialization practices in web applications, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the phpWebLog application to version 0.4.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the uninitialized variable issue. Additionally, administrators should review and strengthen authentication mechanisms, implement proper access controls, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar initialization flaws in other applications.