CVE-2002-1726 in PhotoDB
Summary
by MITRE
secure_inc.php in PhotoDB 1.4 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via a URL with a large Time parameter, non-empty rmtusername and rmtpassword parameter, and an accesslevel parameter that is lower than the access level of the requested page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1726 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the PhotoDB 1.4 web application's secure_inc.php component. This issue stems from improper input validation and authentication handling mechanisms that fail to properly verify user credentials and access permissions. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers construct malicious URLs containing carefully crafted parameters that manipulate the authentication flow. The flaw exploits a weakness in the application's access control implementation where the system fails to adequately validate the relationship between provided credentials and requested access levels.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on manipulating three key parameters within the URL structure: a large Time parameter that likely triggers a timing-based bypass mechanism, non-empty rmtusername and rmtpassword parameters that contain the attacker's credentials, and an accesslevel parameter that is deliberately set to a lower value than what would normally be required for the requested page. This combination allows attackers to circumvent the normal authentication checks that should validate both credential validity and authorization level. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input sanitization and access control validation where the application trusts user-provided parameters without proper verification.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant security risk for PhotoDB 1.4 installations, potentially allowing unauthorized users to gain access to restricted content and functionality. Attackers could exploit this flaw to access protected pages, view sensitive images, modify database content, or perform administrative actions depending on the application's permission structure. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the application, undermining the integrity of the authentication system and potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations using PhotoDB 1.4 would face risks of data exposure, unauthorized modifications, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and specifically relates to improper access control mechanisms in web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and credential access tactics, as attackers can leverage it to bypass authentication and gain elevated access levels. The timing parameter manipulation suggests potential alignment with timing attack vectors where attackers exploit system response times to infer valid credentials or access levels. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including parameter validation, access control enforcement, and authentication mechanism hardening to address this vulnerability effectively.
Mitigation strategies should focus on strengthening input validation for all parameters in the secure_inc.php component, implementing proper access control checks that verify credential authenticity against requested access levels, and establishing robust parameter sanitization mechanisms. The application should enforce strict validation of accesslevel parameters to ensure they align with the authenticated user's actual privileges. Additionally, implementing rate limiting and monitoring for suspicious parameter combinations can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security patches or code modifications should address the core authentication bypass logic to ensure that accesslevel parameters cannot be manipulated to bypass legitimate access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls to detect and block malicious URL parameter combinations that could exploit this vulnerability.