CVE-2006-4782 in WebSPELL
Summary
by MITRE
src/index.php in WebSPELL 4.01.01 and earlier, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain sensitive information stored in the database via a modified userID parameter in a write action to admin/database.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4782 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the WebSPELL content management system version 4.01.01 and earlier. This issue specifically targets installations where the PHP configuration parameter register_globals is enabled, creating a dangerous condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate application behavior through crafted HTTP requests. The vulnerability exists in the interaction between src/index.php and admin/database.php components, where improper input validation and parameter handling create opportunities for unauthorized access to sensitive database information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the dangerous behavior of PHP's register_globals directive, which automatically creates global variables from HTTP request parameters. When enabled, this setting allows attackers to manipulate the application's internal state by injecting malicious parameters directly into HTTP requests. The flaw specifically occurs when a modified userID parameter is passed through a write action to admin/database.php, enabling attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized database access. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference vulnerability where the application fails to properly validate user permissions before executing database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to include potential data exposure and system compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the WebSPELL database, potentially including user credentials, personal data, and other confidential information. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as the attacker only needs to perform a simple parameter modification in HTTP requests. This makes it particularly dangerous for web applications that store sensitive user data, as successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise and potential further lateral movement within compromised networks.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and parameter handling in web applications, particularly when dealing with database operations. Organizations should immediately disable register_globals in their PHP configurations as a primary mitigation strategy, though this alone may not be sufficient. Complete remediation requires updating to WebSPELL versions that properly implement authentication checks and parameter validation, along with implementing proper access controls and input sanitization measures. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns and parameter manipulation attempts that could indicate exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.