CVE-2005-1511 in PwsPHP
Summary
by MITRE
PwsPHP 1.2.2 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and post arbitrary comments via the Pseudo cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1511 affects PwsPHP version 1.2.2, a web-based comment system that was widely used in the mid-2000s for adding comment functionality to websites. This authentication bypass flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the fundamental security model of the application. The vulnerability specifically resides in how the software handles authentication tokens, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent the intended access controls. The affected system operates on a cookie-based authentication mechanism where the Pseudo cookie serves as the primary means of verifying user identity and privileges within the comment posting system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of the Pseudo cookie value, which is typically used to authenticate users who wish to post comments on web pages. In the vulnerable version of PwsPHP, the application fails to properly verify the authenticity of the cookie value, allowing attackers to manipulate the cookie contents to assume administrative privileges or gain unrestricted access to comment posting functionality. This flaw enables attackers to construct malicious cookie values that bypass the normal authentication checks, effectively granting them the ability to post comments as any user, including administrators, without proper credentials. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a classic example of how weak cookie validation can lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to completely compromise the comment system functionality. An attacker can not only post arbitrary comments but potentially manipulate existing comments, delete legitimate posts, or even inject malicious content that could propagate to other users. This vulnerability undermines the integrity and trustworthiness of the comment system, as it enables attackers to post spam, malicious links, or content that could damage the reputation of the website hosting the application. The remote nature of the attack means that no local access is required, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without needing physical or network-level access to the target system.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through standard web penetration testing techniques. Attackers typically need only to modify the Pseudo cookie value to bypass authentication checks, making the attack surface extremely broad and accessible. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which covers exploitation for credential access, as the flaw allows unauthorized access to system functionality that should be restricted. The impact extends beyond simple comment posting, as compromised comment systems can serve as entry points for more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to full system compromise through social engineering or by leveraging the comment system to distribute malicious payloads. Organizations using vulnerable versions of PwsPHP should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing proper cookie validation mechanisms, and considering alternative comment systems that have been properly secured against such authentication bypass attacks.