CVE-2004-1695 in Server4
Summary
by MITRE
EmuLive Server4 Commerce Edition Build 7560 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication for the remote administration feature via a URL that contains an extra leading / (slash).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1695 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the EmuLive Server4 Commerce Edition version 7560. This issue specifically targets the remote administration feature of the web server software, creating a pathway for unauthorized remote attackers to gain administrative access without proper credentials. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and path handling within the application's URL processing logic, which fails to properly sanitize or normalize URL paths before performing authentication checks.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the manipulation of URL structure to exploit a flaw in how the server processes paths containing extra leading slashes. When an attacker crafts a URL with an additional leading slash character, the server's authentication routine fails to properly resolve the intended path, allowing the attacker to bypass the authentication mechanism entirely. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of path traversal and authentication bypass issues, which are commonly classified as CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of inadequate input sanitization where the application fails to normalize URL paths before performing access control decisions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides remote attackers with full administrative privileges over the affected server instance. This level of access enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to data exfiltration, modification of server configurations, installation of malicious software, and complete compromise of the server environment. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the server or any special local privileges. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability represents a low-effort, high-impact vector that can be automated and scaled across multiple targets, making it particularly dangerous in environments where such servers are publicly accessible.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, if available, and implementing network-level controls to restrict access to administrative interfaces. The recommended approach includes configuring web server rules to normalize URL paths before authentication checks, implementing proper input validation for all URL parameters, and restricting administrative access to trusted IP addresses only. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns and potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and initial access through web application vulnerabilities, highlighting the importance of proper authentication implementation and input validation in preventing such attacks.