CVE-2006-0944 in Weblog
Summary
by MITRE
Archangel Weblog 0.90.02 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication by setting the ba_admin cookie to 1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-0944 affects Archangel Weblog version 0.90.02, a web-based blogging platform that was prevalent in the mid-2000s. This authentication bypass flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows remote attackers to gain administrative privileges without proper credentials. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and session management mechanisms within the application's authentication system.
The technical flaw manifests through the manipulation of the ba_admin cookie parameter, which serves as a critical access control mechanism within the blogging platform. When an attacker sets this specific cookie value to 1, the application incorrectly interprets this as legitimate administrative authorization, bypassing all standard authentication procedures. This cookie-based authentication bypass falls under the category of insecure direct object reference vulnerabilities and demonstrates poor security implementation in access control mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates entirely at the application layer without requiring any special privileges or complex exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected weblog instance. This includes the ability to modify content, add or remove users, change system configurations, and potentially access sensitive data stored within the application. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the server or network infrastructure. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the weblog is exposed to public internet access.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The flaw also maps to several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation and initial access, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent administrative access. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper input validation and access control implementation, which are core requirements for secure application development according to industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including proper cookie validation, input sanitization, and robust session management protocols.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of the Archangel Weblog application to version 0.90.03 or later, which contains the necessary authentication fixes. Additionally, administrators should implement proper cookie security measures including secure flags, HttpOnly attributes, and proper validation of cookie values. Network-level mitigations such as web application firewalls and access control lists can provide additional protection layers. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.