CVE-2005-0301 in Comersus Backoffice Lite
Summary
by MITRE
comersus_backoffice_install10.asp in BackOffice Lite 6.0 and 6.01 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain privileges via a direct request to the program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0301 affects the comersus_backoffice_install10.asp component within BackOffice Lite versions 6.0 and 6.01, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to the affected system. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and inadequate access control mechanisms within the installation script, which fails to properly verify user credentials or session legitimacy before granting privileged operations. The flaw exists in the application's back office installation module where the system does not enforce proper authentication checks, allowing any remote user to directly access administrative functions without proper authorization.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software applications. This weakness specifically manifests as a failure to implement robust authentication controls within the installation process, creating an attack surface where unauthorized parties can exploit the lack of proper access verification. The vulnerability operates by allowing direct HTTP requests to the vulnerable ASP script without requiring legitimate user credentials, effectively removing the authentication barrier that should normally prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions. This type of flaw represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where the system fails to properly validate user identity before executing privileged operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant security risks to organizations utilizing BackOffice Lite 6.0 or 6.01 systems, as it provides attackers with direct pathways to administrative control over the application. The consequences extend beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized modification of application configurations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malicious code, modify user accounts, access sensitive data, or perform other administrative functions that would normally require legitimate administrative credentials. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system or local network presence.
The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1078 credential access sub-technique where adversaries acquire and use legitimate credentials to bypass access controls. This vulnerability also relates to T1190 exploitation of remote services, as it represents an unauthenticated access point that can be exploited over network connections. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling or removing the vulnerable installation script, applying access controls to prevent direct access to administrative components, and implementing proper authentication mechanisms throughout the application. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to administrative interfaces, while regular security audits should verify that no unauthorized access points exist within the application infrastructure. Additionally, organizations should consider upgrading to patched versions of BackOffice Lite or migrating to more secure alternatives that properly implement authentication and access control measures.