CVE-2005-2411 in tDiary
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in tDiary 2.1.1, and tDiary 2.0.1 and earlier, allows remote attackers to conduct actions as another user, and execute commands on the server, via a URL that is activated by the user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The cross-site request forgery vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2411 represents a critical security flaw in tDiary versions 2.1.1 and earlier, including all 2.0.1 and previous iterations. This vulnerability operates within the context of web application security where unauthorized parties can manipulate legitimate users into executing unwanted actions on vulnerable applications. The flaw specifically targets the authentication and authorization mechanisms of tDiary, a popular web-based diary application that allows users to maintain personal online journals. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and verify the origin of requests, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit user sessions and perform unauthorized operations.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs when a malicious attacker crafts a specially constructed URL that, when visited by an authenticated user, automatically triggers specific actions within the tDiary application. This attack vector leverages the fact that web browsers automatically include authentication cookies and session information with every request to a domain, regardless of the source of the request. When a user accesses a maliciously crafted page that contains hidden links or embedded images pointing to tDiary administration functions, the browser automatically submits requests to the target application using the user's existing authenticated session. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to perform administrative functions, including but not limited to modifying diary entries, deleting content, or potentially executing arbitrary commands on the server if the application has insufficient input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it can lead to complete compromise of user accounts and potential server exploitation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user data, modify personal content, or even escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the technique T1531 - Account Access Removal and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as attackers can use CSRF to manipulate user accounts and potentially gain persistent access. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in data loss, privacy breaches, and in severe cases, complete system compromise if the application has insufficient access controls or command execution capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this CSRF vulnerability involve implementing robust anti-CSRF measures within the tDiary application. The most effective approach is to implement synchronizer tokens, where each form submission includes a unique, unpredictable token that must match between the form and the server-side validation. Additionally, the application should implement proper referer header checking, use SameSite cookies, and ensure that all state-changing operations require explicit user confirmation. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution and ensure that authentication tokens are properly invalidated upon user logout. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and request origin verification in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards that emphasize the need for comprehensive protection against CSRF attacks.