CVE-2006-3205 in Ultimate PHP Board
Summary
by MITRE
Ultimate PHP Board (UPB) 1.9.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to gain access via modified user_env, pass_env, power_env, and id_env parameters in a cookie, which comprise a persistent logon that does not vary across sessions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3205 affects Ultimate PHP Board version 1.9.6 and earlier, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of web applications relying on this forum software. This issue stems from improper handling of authentication cookies, specifically targeting the user_env, pass_env, power_env, and id_env parameters that are manipulated through cookie modification. The flaw enables attackers to construct persistent login sessions that remain valid across different user sessions, effectively circumventing the intended authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental weakness in session management and authentication token validation, creating a persistent security risk for affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of cookie-based authentication parameters that are typically used to maintain user sessions within the UPB application. When attackers modify the user_env, pass_env, power_env, and id_env values within the cookie, they can establish a persistent logon state that does not require legitimate authentication credentials. This occurs because the application fails to properly validate or regenerate these parameters across different sessions, allowing attackers to reuse modified cookie values indefinitely. The flaw operates at the application layer where session management should enforce strict validation of authentication tokens, but instead permits the reuse of potentially compromised or forged cookie values.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe security risk for organizations using affected UPB installations, as it enables unauthorized access to forum functionalities without proper authentication. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain administrative privileges, post malicious content, modify user accounts, or access sensitive forum data. The persistent nature of the logon session means that once an attacker establishes a foothold using this technique, they can maintain access for extended periods without detection, making it particularly dangerous for long-running forum deployments. This vulnerability directly violates security principles related to authentication integrity and session management, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the forum contains sensitive user information or administrative controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust session management practices and strengthening authentication mechanisms within the UPB application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to versions of UPB that address this vulnerability, as the flaw represents a fundamental security weakness in the application's authentication system. Security measures should include implementing proper cookie validation, enforcing session regeneration after authentication, and implementing additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-384, which addresses session management flaws, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential harvesting through cookie manipulation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for unusual cookie patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts of this particular vulnerability.