CVE-2006-3531 in Pivot
Summary
by MITRE
includes/editor/insert_image.php in Pivot 1.30 RC2 and earlier creates the authentication credentials from parameters, which allows remote attackers to obtain privileges and upload arbitrary files via modified (1) pass and (2) session parameters, and (3) pass and (4) userlevel indices of the (a) Pivot_Vars[] or (b) Users[] array parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3531 affects Pivot 1.30 RC2 and earlier versions, specifically targeting the includes/editor/insert_image.php component. This flaw represents a critical authentication bypass vulnerability that allows remote attackers to manipulate session parameters and gain unauthorized access to the system. The vulnerability stems from the insecure handling of authentication credentials within the image insertion functionality, where parameters are directly used to construct user credentials without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate four distinct parameter combinations to achieve privilege escalation and arbitrary file upload capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of Pivot_Vars[] and Users[] array parameters, specifically targeting pass and session parameters along with userlevel indices. Attackers can exploit this by modifying the pass and session parameters to forge authentication tokens, while simultaneously manipulating the userlevel indices to elevate their privileges from standard user to administrative level. This dual manipulation approach allows for complete control over the affected system through the image upload functionality. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-287 as improper authentication, specifically related to the use of weak or predictable session identifiers and insufficient validation of authentication parameters. The flaw directly enables unauthorized file uploads, which can lead to complete system compromise through the execution of malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with both privilege escalation capabilities and arbitrary file upload functionality. Once exploited, attackers can upload malicious files to the server, potentially leading to remote code execution, data theft, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core authentication mechanisms of the Pivot content management system, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines the fundamental security controls. This issue is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1505 for Server Software Component, as it exploits legitimate authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access and then leverages the system's file upload capabilities to establish persistent access.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the Pivot system to version 1.30 RC3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement proper parameter validation and sanitization for all authentication-related parameters, ensuring that session identifiers are properly generated and validated. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable component, while regular security audits should verify that authentication mechanisms are properly configured. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly within the editor components, can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other parts of the application. The fix addresses the root cause by properly handling authentication parameters and implementing secure session management practices that prevent parameter manipulation attacks.