CVE-2003-0589 in Digi-ads
Summary
by MITRE
admin.php in Digi-ads 1.1 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via a cookie with the username set to the name of the administrator, which satisfies an improper condition in admin.php that does not require a correct password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0589 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in Digi-ads 1.1's administrative interface. This issue stems from a fundamental flaw in the application's access control mechanism where the system fails to properly validate user credentials before granting administrative privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the admin.php script which handles administrative authentication processes and operates under the weakness categorized as CWE-287, improper authentication, where the system does not adequately verify user identities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of HTTP cookies, specifically targeting the administrative session management component. Attackers can craft a malicious cookie where the username field contains the administrator's name, effectively bypassing the legitimate authentication process. This occurs because the admin.php script contains a logical condition that does not properly validate whether the provided credentials include a correct password, allowing any user with knowledge of an administrator's username to gain access. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and improper session handling, where the application fails to enforce proper authentication requirements before granting elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides unauthorized remote attackers with complete administrative control over the affected Digi-ads system. This level of access enables attackers to modify content, add or remove users, alter system configurations, and potentially compromise the entire web application infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no complex exploitation techniques beyond simple cookie manipulation, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. This authentication bypass allows for persistent access to the administrative interface, enabling attackers to maintain control over the compromised system for extended periods without detection.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper authentication mechanisms that require valid password verification before granting administrative access. The fix should involve modifying the admin.php script to ensure that all administrative access requests undergo complete credential validation, including password verification, regardless of cookie content. Organizations should implement proper session management practices, including secure cookie attributes, session timeout mechanisms, and regular authentication token rotation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, and the remediation efforts should follow security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 for access control and authentication management. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting such authentication bypass vulnerabilities.