CVE-2003-1574 in TikiWiki
Summary
by MITRE
TikiWiki 1.6.1 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication by entering a valid username with an arbitrary password, possibly related to the Internet Explorer "Remember Me" feature. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2018
This vulnerability in TikiWiki 1.6.1 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users enter a valid username alongside an arbitrary password, enabling them to bypass the normal authentication process entirely. This issue stems from how the application handles authentication requests, particularly in scenarios involving the Internet Explorer "Remember Me" functionality that stores authentication tokens. The flaw essentially allows attackers to exploit the session management mechanism by leveraging the username field without requiring proper credential validation. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and improper session handling, which are commonly classified under CWE-287 for inadequate authentication and CWE-305 for use of password authentication with a weakness. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it enables remote exploitation without requiring any special privileges or access to the target system, making it highly dangerous in environments where TikiWiki is deployed. The vulnerability is closely related to how web browsers handle persistent authentication tokens and how applications interpret these tokens during subsequent authentication attempts.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a failure in the application's authentication logic where the system does not properly validate the password field when a valid username is provided. This creates a scenario where the application accepts the username as sufficient authentication, effectively disabling password verification entirely. The issue is exacerbated by the integration with Internet Explorer's "Remember Me" feature, which stores authentication cookies or tokens that the application may incorrectly interpret as valid credentials. This behavior indicates a lack of proper input validation and authentication state management within the TikiWiki application. When a user submits a login request, the system should validate both the username and password against the stored credentials, but instead it appears to accept the username alone and may be using previously stored authentication tokens from browser sessions. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring any complex attack techniques or deep system knowledge.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data breaches, privilege escalation, and system compromise. Attackers could gain access to sensitive user information, modify content, or perform administrative functions within the TikiWiki application. The vulnerability affects all users of TikiWiki 1.6.1, regardless of their role or access level, making it a severe threat to the overall security posture. Organizations using this version of TikiWiki are at risk of unauthorized data access, content manipulation, and potential lateral movement within their networks. This type of authentication bypass vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access, as attackers can leverage legitimate user credentials without needing to discover or crack passwords. The impact is particularly severe in environments where TikiWiki is used for content management, collaboration, or document sharing, as attackers could access confidential information or modify critical system content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and implementation of proper authentication controls. Organizations should upgrade to a patched version of TikiWiki that addresses this authentication bypass issue, as the vulnerability is specifically resolved in later versions of the software. Additionally, administrators should review and strengthen authentication policies, ensuring that password validation occurs for all login attempts regardless of whether authentication tokens are present. The implementation of multi-factor authentication and session management improvements can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. Security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that the application properly validates both username and password fields during authentication attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other web applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication state management, which should be incorporated into security development lifecycle practices. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unusual authentication patterns or attempts to bypass authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust authentication controls and proper session management in web applications.