CVE-2002-1427 in Advanced Easy Homepage Creator
Summary
by MITRE
The print_html_to_file function in edit.cgi for Easy Homepage Creator 1.0 does not check user credentials, which allows remote attackers to modify home pages of other users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1427 resides within the Easy Homepage Creator 1.0 web application's edit.cgi script where the print_html_to_file function fails to implement proper authentication mechanisms. This critical flaw represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the security model of the application. The absence of user credential verification during the page modification process creates an exploitable condition where any remote attacker can manipulate content belonging to other users without proper authorization. Such a weakness directly violates fundamental security principles of access control and user isolation within web applications.
This vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a clear failure in implementing proper authentication checks before executing privileged operations. The technical flaw specifically affects the print_html_to_file function which serves as the entry point for modifying homepage content. When a user attempts to modify their homepage through the edit.cgi interface, the application should validate that the requesting user possesses the appropriate permissions to make changes to the target page. However, the current implementation completely omits this validation step, allowing arbitrary modification of any user's homepage content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data integrity compromise and user privacy violations. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to deface websites, inject malicious content, modify user preferences, or even plant backdoors within other users' homepages. The vulnerability affects all users of the Easy Homepage Creator 1.0 application regardless of their authentication status, creating a universal risk that can be exploited by anyone with network access to the vulnerable system. This represents a significant threat to web application security and user trust within the platform.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software applications. The flaw also corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and persistence tactics, where attackers can leverage such authorization bypasses to maintain long-term access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users rely on the application for personal or business website hosting. Organizations utilizing this software face potential reputational damage, legal consequences, and increased risk of further compromise through the modified content.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate implementation of proper authentication checks within the print_html_to_file function, ensuring that all user modifications are validated against the requesting user's credentials. The application should enforce strict access control policies that verify ownership of target resources before permitting modifications. Additionally, developers should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization to prevent injection attacks that might compound the authorization bypass. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authorization flaws within the application's codebase. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of implementing proper security controls early in the development lifecycle, as authentication bypasses can have severe consequences for both individual users and the organizations they represent.