CVE-2006-1085 in PHP-Stats
Summary
by MITRE
admin.php in PHP-Stats 0.1.9.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass authentication, gain administrator privileges, and execute arbitrary PHP code by modifying the option[admin_pass] parameter and setting the pass_cookie to the MD5 hash of the specified password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1085 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in PHP-Stats version 0.1.9.1 and earlier installations. This vulnerability resides within the admin.php script which governs administrative access controls for the web-based statistics application. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and improper session management mechanisms that fail to properly authenticate users attempting to access administrative functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows unauthenticated remote attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the option[admin_pass] parameter within the application's configuration handling mechanism. Attackers can bypass the standard authentication process by directly modifying this parameter and setting the pass_cookie value to the MD5 hash of their chosen password. This approach circumvents the normal password verification process and grants immediate administrative access to the system. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor mechanism where any attacker who can submit crafted HTTP requests can gain full administrative control over the PHP-Stats application. This represents a classic example of insecure direct object reference vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate application logic and bypass security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Once exploited, attackers can gain complete administrative control over the affected system, enabling them to modify or delete any data within the application, including statistical records and configuration settings. The ability to execute arbitrary PHP code through this bypass means that attackers can potentially install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability directly violates multiple security principles including authentication, authorization, and integrity controls. The impact extends beyond the immediate application as compromised systems can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, while also mapping to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to a patched version of PHP-Stats, implementing network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious parameter manipulation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and the necessity of implementing robust authentication mechanisms that do not rely on easily manipulable parameters. Security practitioners should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block attempts to modify administrative parameters and establish monitoring procedures for unusual administrative access patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure proper patch management processes are in place to prevent future exploitation of known vulnerabilities.