CVE-2004-2559 in DokuWiki
Summary
by MITRE
DokuWiki before 2004-10-19 allows remote attackers to access administrative functionality including (1) Mediaselectiondialog, (2) Recent changes, (3) feed, and (4) search, possibly due to the lack of ACL checks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2559 represents a critical access control flaw in DokuWiki versions prior to the 2004-10-19 release. This issue stems from insufficient access control list (ACL) validation mechanisms within the wiki software, creating a pathway for unauthorized remote users to gain access to administrative functions that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The flaw affects multiple core administrative interfaces including the mediaselection dialog, recent changes functionality, feed generation capabilities, and search operations. These components are fundamental to the wiki's administrative control plane and provide access to sensitive system information and modification capabilities. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically addressing improper access control where the system fails to properly verify user permissions before granting access to protected resources. This weakness directly enables privilege escalation attacks and allows attackers to bypass normal security boundaries that should separate regular users from administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with comprehensive access to administrative interfaces that could enable further exploitation. When an attacker successfully accesses the mediaselection dialog, they can potentially upload malicious files or manipulate existing media content. The recent changes interface provides visibility into system modifications and user activities, while the feed functionality could be exploited to harvest sensitive information or manipulate data feeds. The search component, when improperly secured, allows for reconnaissance activities that could reveal system structure and potentially expose other vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 legitimate credentials, as attackers can leverage the administrative access to maintain persistence and escalate privileges within the compromised system. The lack of proper ACL checks creates a persistent backdoor that remains active until the software is updated to address the vulnerability.
The security implications of this flaw are particularly severe given that it affects the core functionality of a wiki system, which often serves as a repository for sensitive organizational information and documentation. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially modify content, inject malicious scripts, manipulate user permissions, or access confidential data stored within the wiki environment. The remote nature of the attack means that no local system access is required, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not properly segment their network environments. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version of DokuWiki, implementing proper network segmentation, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their wiki environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the necessity of regular security updates to address known weaknesses in web applications. This flaw serves as a reminder of the fundamental security principle that administrative interfaces must always enforce strict access controls regardless of the user's authentication status.