CVE-2004-2577 in phpGroupWare
Summary
by MITRE
The acl_check function in phpGroupWare 0.9.16RC2 always returns True, even when mkdir does not behave as expected, which could allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via WebDAV from users home directories that lack .htaccess files, and possibly has other unknown impacts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2577 represents a critical access control flaw within the phpGroupWare 0.9.16RC2 web-based groupware application that fundamentally undermines the security of user directory permissions. This issue stems from a logical error in the acl_check function implementation where the function consistently returns a true value regardless of the actual directory creation behavior during mkdir operations. The flaw exists in the application's WebDAV functionality which is designed to provide remote file management capabilities, creating a scenario where unauthorized access can occur through improperly secured user home directories. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where user directories lack proper .htaccess file protection mechanisms, which serve as crucial Apache configuration files that can restrict direct web access to sensitive directories and their contents.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic security bypass through improper access control validation. The acl_check function failure creates a false positive condition where the system incorrectly assumes that directory operations have been successfully completed with appropriate permissions, when in reality the mkdir function may have failed due to permission issues or other operational constraints. This flaw allows remote attackers to exploit the WebDAV interface to traverse user home directories that should be protected by access controls, potentially exposing sensitive user data, configuration files, or application-specific information. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's authorization framework, where the security model fails to properly validate whether directory creation operations actually succeeded with the intended security posture.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations using phpGroupWare 0.9.16RC2 in production environments where user data privacy and access control are paramount. The flaw enables attackers to potentially access user home directories that contain personal information, business data, or application configuration details that should remain isolated from unauthorized access. The lack of proper .htaccess file protection in user directories compounds this issue, as these files are standard Apache security mechanisms that prevent direct web access to directory contents. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user-specific data, potentially leading to data breaches, privacy violations, or further exploitation opportunities within the application environment. The vulnerability also suggests potential issues with error handling and input validation within the application's WebDAV implementation, which could be exploited for more sophisticated attacks.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing or social engineering attacks that could exploit the access control bypass. Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to patched versions of phpGroupWare, implementing proper .htaccess file configurations for user directories, and conducting thorough security audits of WebDAV functionality. Additionally, system administrators should review and enforce proper directory permissions, implement network segmentation to limit access to WebDAV interfaces, and consider disabling WebDAV functionality if it is not essential to business operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control validation and error handling in web applications, particularly those that handle user-specific data and provide remote management capabilities through protocols like WebDAV.