CVE-2006-0572 in phpstatus
Summary
by MITRE
phpstatus 1.0 does not require passwords when using cookies to identify a user, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0572 resides within phpstatus 1.0, a web-based status monitoring tool designed to provide administrative access to php configuration details. This tool operates by utilizing cookie-based authentication mechanisms to identify and authorize users attempting to access sensitive system information. The flaw represents a critical security weakness in the authentication implementation that directly undermines the integrity of the access control system.
The technical flaw manifests in the absence of proper password validation during the cookie-based authentication process. When users attempt to access the phpstatus interface, the system relies solely on the presence and validity of authentication cookies without requiring additional password verification. This design oversight creates a scenario where any remote attacker can potentially establish a valid session by simply crafting or manipulating cookie values, effectively bypassing the intended authentication mechanism entirely. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication flow by removing the necessary password challenge that should validate user identity before granting access to administrative functions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to php configuration information without possessing legitimate credentials. The consequences extend beyond simple information disclosure, as attackers can potentially modify php settings, access sensitive server configurations, and manipulate the underlying web application environment. This unauthorized access capability directly violates fundamental security principles and creates opportunities for further exploitation, including potential privilege escalation and system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the authentication layer, making it a critical entry point for malicious actors seeking to infiltrate systems.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. This classification emphasizes the fundamental flaw in the authentication implementation where the system fails to properly verify user identity through multiple factors. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access category, specifically targeting the exploitation of weak authentication mechanisms. The attack vector represents a classic case of authentication bypass, where the system's trust model is compromised through inadequate session management.
Effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper password verification during the authentication process. The phpstatus application must be updated to require password validation even when authentication cookies are present, ensuring that user identity is properly verified before granting access. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including session timeout mechanisms, secure cookie attributes, and regular authentication audits. The most critical remediation involves patching the application to enforce proper credential validation and implementing robust session management practices that prevent cookie-based authentication bypasses. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network-level controls and monitoring to detect suspicious authentication patterns and unauthorized access attempts.