CVE-2005-4006 in SAPID CMS
Summary
by MITRE
SAPID CMS before 1.2.3.03 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via direct requests to the usr/system files (1) insert_file.php, (2) insert_image.php, (3) insert_link.php, (4) insert_qcfile.php, and (5) edit.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4006 affects SAPID CMS versions prior to 1.2.3.03 and represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to system administrative functions. This vulnerability specifically targets the usr/system directory within the content management system, exposing five critical PHP files that handle file insertion and editing operations. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and authentication checks within these components, allowing malicious actors to directly access administrative functionalities without proper authorization. The affected files include insert_file.php, insert_image.php, insert_link.php, insert_qcfile.php, and edit.php, all of which are designed to handle user-uploaded content and system modifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a fundamental weakness in the application's access control mechanisms, where proper authentication checks are either missing or improperly enforced. Attackers can directly request these specific PHP files without being authenticated, effectively circumventing the CMS's intended security model. This authentication bypass occurs because the system fails to verify user credentials or session validity before executing administrative functions within these files. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization controls that allow unauthorized access to protected resources. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring any prior access credentials or privileged information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected CMS installation. Once exploited, attackers can modify website content, upload malicious files, create new user accounts, and potentially escalate their privileges further within the system. The exposure of these specific files means that attackers can manipulate the content management system's core functionalities, potentially leading to data corruption, unauthorized content injection, and complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising both confidentiality and integrity of the system's content management capabilities, while also potentially affecting availability through malicious modifications to system files. The remote exploit nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can leverage it from any location without physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4006 should focus on immediate patching of the affected SAPID CMS versions to 1.2.3.03 or later, which contains the necessary authentication checks and access control improvements. Organizations should implement proper input validation and authentication mechanisms for all administrative endpoints, ensuring that each request undergoes proper credential verification before executing privileged operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and access control lists can provide additional layers of defense by restricting direct access to sensitive system files. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to administrative endpoints, and regular security audits should verify that all system files maintain proper access controls. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive security controls beyond simple patching. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.