CVE-2003-1245 in Mambo
Summary
by MITRE
index2.php in Mambo 4.0.12 allows remote attackers to gain administrator access via a URL request where session_id is set to the MD5 hash of a session cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1245 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in Mambo 4.0.12 content management system. This issue stems from improper session management mechanisms that fail to validate the authenticity of session identifiers presented by remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically targets the index2.php script which handles administrative authentication processes, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to escalate their privileges and assume administrator roles within the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the predictable nature of session identifier generation within the Mambo platform. Attackers can craft malicious URL requests where the session_id parameter is populated with an MD5 hash of a legitimate session cookie. This approach exploits a fundamental flaw in the session validation logic that does not properly verify whether the provided session identifier corresponds to an actual active session or represents a crafted attack vector. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass the normal authentication process by leveraging the MD5 hash as a means to impersonate valid administrative sessions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to system security as it enables complete administrative compromise without requiring knowledge of valid credentials or passwords. Once exploited, attackers can gain full control over the Mambo installation including access to all administrative functions, user management capabilities, content modification permissions, and potentially access to underlying system resources. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Mambo 4.0.12 for their web presence, making them susceptible to data breaches, content tampering, and complete system takeover. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication mechanisms and CWE-310 which covers cryptographic weaknesses in session management.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and credential access phases. Specifically, it maps to techniques involving session hijacking and authentication bypass methods that leverage predictable or weak session identifiers. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient session integrity checks, which are common patterns in legacy web applications. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Mambo face significant risk exposure as this flaw can be exploited automatically through automated scanning tools, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1245 require immediate patching of the Mambo 4.0.12 installation to the latest available version that addresses the session management vulnerability. System administrators should implement proper session validation mechanisms that verify session integrity through cryptographic means rather than relying on predictable hash values. Additional protective measures include implementing secure session cookie attributes such as HttpOnly and Secure flags, establishing proper session timeout mechanisms, and conducting regular security audits of authentication systems. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls to detect and block malicious session manipulation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and proper session management as outlined in OWASP top ten security risks, particularly those related to session management and authentication controls.