CVE-2006-2848 in aspWebLinks
Summary
by MITRE
links.asp in aspWebLinks 2.0 allows remote attackers to change the administrative password, possibly via a direct request with a modified txtAdministrativePassword field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2848 resides within the aspWebLinks 2.0 web application, specifically in the links.asp component that handles administrative functions. This flaw represents a critical authentication bypass vulnerability that allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to the system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper access control mechanisms within the application's password change functionality. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting direct HTTP requests that modify the txtAdministrativePassword field, effectively circumventing the normal authentication and authorization processes that should protect administrative accounts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly validate user input when processing administrative password change requests. When a user submits a password change request through the links.asp page, the application does not adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to modify administrative credentials. This weakness creates a path for unauthenticated attackers to directly manipulate the password change process by constructing malicious HTTP requests that target the txtAdministrativePassword field. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, specifically the lack of proper authorization checks during administrative operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations relying on aspWebLinks 2.0 for their web content management. Successful exploitation allows attackers to completely compromise administrative accounts, providing them with full control over the web application's configuration, user management, content modification capabilities, and potentially access to underlying server resources. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as it enables unauthorized access to administrative accounts through manipulation of legitimate administrative functions.
The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to a cascade of security incidents including unauthorized data modification, complete system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations using this vulnerable software face risks of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the core administrative functionality of the web application, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools. Security professionals should consider implementing network segmentation, access control lists, and regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar flaws in legacy web applications. The remediation approach should focus on implementing proper input validation, enforcing strict authentication mechanisms, and ensuring that administrative functions require proper authorization checks before execution.