CVE-2002-0308 in AdMentor
Summary
by MITRE
admin.asp in AdMentor 2.11 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain privileges via a SQL injection attack on the Login and Password arguments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0308 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in AdMentor 2.11's administrative interface. This issue stems from improper input validation within the admin.asp script where login credentials are processed. The vulnerability specifically affects the Login and Password arguments, which are directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw creates an environment where malicious actors can manipulate the authentication mechanism through crafted SQL injection payloads.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits specially crafted input to the Login and Password parameters. The application fails to validate or sanitize these inputs before incorporating them into database queries, allowing the attacker to inject malicious SQL code. When the application processes these inputs, the injected SQL commands execute within the context of the database connection, potentially allowing unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses in software that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input. This type of injection attack can result in complete compromise of the administrative interface, enabling attackers to gain elevated privileges without proper authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete system compromise. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can manipulate user accounts, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. The consequences are particularly severe given that AdMentor is designed as a content management system, meaning the compromised administrative interface could provide access to all managed content and user data. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access and privilege escalation categories, specifically targeting the 'T1078' technique for valid accounts and 'T1068' for local privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization for all user-supplied data, particularly in authentication mechanisms where SQL injection attacks are most dangerous. The recommended approach involves using parameterized database queries or stored procedures that separate SQL commands from data inputs, effectively neutralizing the injection threat. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Security hardening measures should include disabling unnecessary administrative functions, implementing account lockout mechanisms, and ensuring that all web applications are regularly updated with security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, where authentication mechanisms must be protected against injection attacks that could compromise entire systems.