CVE-2005-1288 in ACS Blog
Summary
by MITRE
inc_login_check.asp ACS Blog 0.8 through 1.1.3 allows remote attackers to gain administrator privileges via the "in" value in a cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1288 affects ACS Blog versions 0.8 through 1.1.3 and represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables remote attackers to escalate privileges to administrator level. This issue resides within the inc_login_check.asp component of the blogging platform, which processes user authentication requests. The vulnerability specifically exploits the improper handling of the "in" parameter within HTTP cookies, creating a path for unauthorized privilege escalation without requiring legitimate credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authentication logic within the application's cookie processing mechanism. When users access the blog system, the inc_login_check.asp script examines cookie values to determine user permissions and authentication status. However, the script fails to properly sanitize or validate the "in" parameter, allowing attackers to manipulate cookie contents to assume administrator privileges. This flaw aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in authentication mechanisms, and demonstrates how weak cookie validation can lead to privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over affected blog systems. Once exploited, attackers can modify blog content, delete posts, manage user accounts, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks within the network. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or knowledge of valid credentials to exploit it. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting credential access and persistence mechanisms.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a classic example of how cookie-based authentication systems can be compromised through parameter manipulation. The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper input validation, secure session management, and robust authentication controls. Organizations running affected versions of ACS Blog should immediately apply available patches or upgrade to supported versions. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious cookie manipulation patterns, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized users can access administrative functions. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of implementing proper security testing procedures including penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar authentication bypass opportunities in web applications.