CVE-2004-2739 in PHProjekt
Summary
by MITRE
The setup routine (setup.php) in PHProjekt 4.2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to modify system configuration via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2739 resides within the setup routine of PHProjekt version 4.2.1 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate system configuration parameters. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the setup.php script, which serves as the primary configuration interface for the PHProjekt project management application. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it operates through unspecified attack vectors, making it particularly challenging to detect and defend against.
The technical flaw manifests in the setup.php script's failure to properly authenticate and authorize remote users attempting to access configuration modification functions. This weakness allows malicious actors to exploit the system through various means including but not limited to parameter manipulation, session hijacking, or direct injection attacks. The vulnerability essentially creates an unrestricted access point to critical system configuration parameters that should only be accessible to authorized administrators. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which specifically addresses insufficient access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to perform privileged operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2739 extends beyond simple configuration changes, as attackers can potentially compromise the entire PHProjekt installation by modifying core system parameters. This includes but is not limited to database connection settings, user privilege levels, authentication configurations, and other critical system properties. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in internet-facing environments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage system weaknesses to gain elevated privileges and control over the target system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to PHProjekt versions that have addressed this security flaw through proper access control implementation and input validation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the setup routines and ensure that only authorized personnel can reach these configuration interfaces. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and implementing strict input validation measures can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a prime example of why proper access control mechanisms are essential in web applications and why regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate such critical flaws. Organizations utilizing PHProjekt or similar applications must also establish robust monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized configuration changes and maintain detailed audit logs of all system modifications.