CVE-2007-0261 in snews
Summary
by MITRE
snews.php in sNews 1.5.30 and earlier does not properly exit when authentication fails, which allows remote attackers to perform unauthorized administrative actions, as demonstrated by changing an administrative password via the changeup task, and by uploading PHP code via the imagefile parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0261 affects sNews 1.5.30 and earlier versions, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that fundamentally compromises the security posture of the content management system. This issue stems from improper session handling and authentication validation mechanisms within the snews.php script, which fails to correctly terminate user sessions upon failed authentication attempts. The flaw creates a persistent security vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to escalate privileges and gain administrative access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the authentication flow logic where the application does not properly validate user credentials or maintain secure session states. When authentication fails, the system should terminate the current session and prevent further access attempts, but instead allows continued access to administrative functions. This behavior enables attackers to exploit the system through the changeup task functionality, which permits password modifications without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface where legitimate users should be required to authenticate before performing privileged operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the web application's administrative functions. Through the imagefile parameter, attackers can upload PHP code directly to the server, creating a persistent backdoor that can be used for further exploitation, data exfiltration, or system compromise. This dual attack vector significantly amplifies the risk, as it combines authentication bypass with arbitrary code execution capabilities. The vulnerability effectively renders the entire administrative interface useless for security purposes, as any authenticated user can perform malicious actions without proper authorization.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1505 for server-side injection. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient session management where the application fails to properly handle authentication failures, creating a persistent access point that can be exploited repeatedly. Organizations using affected versions of sNews face significant risks including complete system compromise, data breaches, and potential use as a launchpad for broader network attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and provides maximum impact, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application serves as a primary web presence.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate upgrade to patched versions of sNews, implementation of proper authentication controls, and deployment of web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious upload activities. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits, implement multi-factor authentication where possible, and establish proper access controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be implemented as part of the organization's security posture to prevent similar issues from occurring in other software components.