CVE-2006-3935 in OpenCms
Summary
by MITRE
system/workplace/views/admin/admin-main.jsp in Alkacon OpenCms before 6.2.2 does not restrict access to administrator functions, which allows remote authenticated users to (1) send broadcast messages to all users (/workplace/broadcast), (2) list all users (/accounts/users), (3) add webusers (/accounts/webusers/new), (4) upload database import and export files (/database/importhttp), (5) upload arbitrary program modules (/modules/modules_import), and (6) read the log file (/workplace/logfileview) by setting the appropriate value for the path parameter in a direct request to admin-main.jsp.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3935 represents a critical access control flaw in Alkacon OpenCms versions prior to 6.2.2, specifically within the administrative interface component located at system/workplace/views/admin/admin-main.jsp. This issue constitutes a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated users to bypass normal access restrictions and gain unauthorized administrative privileges. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and access control enforcement within the administrative servlet, which fails to properly verify user permissions before executing sensitive administrative operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core administrative functionality of the content management system, potentially enabling attackers to compromise the entire platform through a single authenticated session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of the path parameter in direct requests to the admin-main.jsp component. When authenticated users make requests to this administrative interface with specific path parameter values, the system fails to validate whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative privileges to perform the requested operations. This oversight allows attackers to directly access six distinct administrative functions without proper authorization checks. The six vulnerable operations include broadcast messaging capabilities, user enumeration, user creation, database file upload functionality, module import capabilities, and log file access. Each of these operations represents a potential attack vector that could be exploited to compromise system integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with comprehensive administrative capabilities that could lead to complete system compromise. The ability to send broadcast messages to all users could facilitate social engineering attacks or denial of service conditions, while listing all users exposes the entire user base to enumeration attacks. The capability to add web users allows attackers to establish persistent access points within the system, and database import/export file uploads could enable the execution of malicious code or data exfiltration. Module import functionality presents the most severe risk, as it could allow attackers to deploy malicious code modules that persist across system restarts. Log file reading capabilities provide attackers with valuable information about system operations and potential attack vectors. This vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation, defense evasion, and credential access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3935 should focus on immediate patching of affected OpenCms installations to version 6.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary access control fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces and enforce strict authentication controls. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper input validation for all administrative parameters, establishing robust audit logging for administrative activities, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing proper access control mechanisms and input validation as fundamental security practices. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter requests to administrative endpoints, while ensuring that all administrative functions require proper authentication and authorization checks before execution. Regular security training for administrators and developers regarding secure coding practices can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software releases.