CVE-2005-2400 in PHPFinance
Summary
by MITRE
The inc.login.php scripts in PHPFinance 0.3 allows remote attackers to bypass the login and gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2400 resides within the inc.login.php scripts of PHPFinance version 0.3, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables remote attackers to circumvent the application's security controls. This issue fundamentally compromises the integrity of the application's access control mechanisms, allowing unauthorized users to gain administrative privileges without proper authentication. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and flawed session management within the login script, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's authentication flow. Such a flaw directly violates fundamental security principles and represents a severe weakness in the application's defensive architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient authentication checks where the inc.login.php script fails to properly validate user credentials or verify session integrity. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the authentication parameters or by directly accessing privileged functions without going through the standard login process. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for unauthorized access. The flaw essentially allows for privilege escalation through unauthorized access, making it particularly dangerous for financial applications where data integrity and access control are paramount.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with full administrative capabilities within the PHPFinance application. This means that malicious actors could potentially modify financial records, access sensitive user data, alter system configurations, or even exfiltrate confidential financial information. The remote nature of the exploit amplifies the risk significantly, as attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations using PHPFinance 0.3 would face severe consequences including financial loss, regulatory violations, and potential legal ramifications due to compromised data security. The vulnerability essentially transforms the application from a secure financial management tool into an easily exploitable target for cybercriminals.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the PHPFinance application to version 0.3.1 or later, which includes proper authentication controls and input validation. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to the application and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious login attempts. Additional security measures include enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, implementing proper session management with secure token generation, and conducting regular security audits of web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication and monitoring access logs for unauthorized attempts to bypass authentication. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch resolves the authentication bypass without introducing new vulnerabilities, and that all users are properly authenticated before gaining access to sensitive financial data. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing robust authentication controls in financial applications.