CVE-2005-0631 in pblang
Summary
by MITRE
delpm.php in pblang 4.63 allows remote authenticated users to delete arbitrary pm files by modifying the "id" and "a" parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0631 affects the pblang 4.63 bulletin board system where the delpm.php script fails to properly validate user input parameters. This weakness exists in the handling of private message deletion functionality where authenticated users can manipulate the "id" and "a" parameters to target and remove private messages that do not belong to them. The flaw represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that undermines the security model of the application's private messaging system.
This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and parameter sanitization within the message deletion script. The application accepts user-supplied parameters without proper verification of ownership or authorization rights, allowing malicious authenticated users to construct requests that target arbitrary private message files. The "id" parameter typically references the message identifier while the "a" parameter likely controls the action type or context, both of which can be manipulated to traverse the intended access controls. This represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor input validation practices that align with CWE-20, which specifically addresses improper input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple message deletion as it enables unauthorized access to private communications and potentially sensitive information that users expect to remain confidential within the bulletin board system. An attacker can leverage this flaw to systematically delete private messages belonging to other users, potentially disrupting communication channels and undermining the trust users place in the system's privacy features. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the messaging system, as it allows for unauthorized modification of user data and could be exploited to create denial of service conditions by deleting critical private communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access control mechanisms and input validation. The system must verify that users can only delete private messages that they actually own or have legitimate authorization to modify. This requires implementing robust parameter validation that checks user ownership before executing deletion operations, typically through database queries that cross-reference user IDs with message ownership. Additionally, the application should enforce proper session management and authentication checks to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through manipulation of authentication mechanisms, and T1485 which addresses data manipulation through unauthorized access to system resources. The fix should include proper parameter sanitization, access control validation, and input filtering to prevent arbitrary file deletion operations that could compromise the privacy and integrity of user communications within the bulletin board system.