CVE-2006-5592 in PacPoll
Summary
by MITRE
Admin/adpoll.asp in PacPoll 4.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass authentication by setting the polllog cookie value to "xx".
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5592 affects PacPoll version 4.0 and earlier, specifically targeting the admin/adpoll.asp component. This represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that allows remote attackers to gain administrative access to the polling system without proper credentials. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authentication mechanisms within the web application's cookie handling process.
The technical flaw manifests through the manipulation of the polllog cookie parameter which is used to track administrative sessions. When an attacker sets the polllog cookie value to "xx", the application fails to properly validate this input and instead grants administrative privileges to the user. This occurs because the application employs a weak authentication check that does not adequately verify the legitimacy of the cookie value before granting access to privileged functions. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor authentication mechanism that bypasses all normal security controls.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables unauthorized users to completely compromise the administrative functionality of the PacPoll system. Attackers can manipulate polling data, modify configurations, add or remove polls, and potentially access sensitive information stored within the system. The remote nature of this attack means that no local system access is required, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the integrity of the entire application.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. It also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts with compromised credentials, as the attacker effectively gains access through a manipulated authentication mechanism rather than traditional credential theft. Organizations using affected versions of PacPoll face significant risk of data manipulation and potential system compromise. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient input validation and weak session management, both of which are fundamental security principles that should be enforced in all web applications.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected software to version 4.1 or later where this vulnerability has been resolved. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input validation for all cookie parameters and strengthen session management mechanisms. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth. Regular security audits should verify that authentication mechanisms properly validate all inputs and that session tokens are generated securely. The vulnerability underscores the importance of implementing robust authentication controls and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can result in complete system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring for suspicious cookie values and establish proper access control logging to detect potential exploitation attempts.