CVE-2007-1185 in WebAPP
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) Search, (2) Edit Profile, (3) Recommend, and (4) User Approval forms in WebAPP before 0.9.9.5 use hidden inputs, which has unknown impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1185 affects the WebAPP software version 0.9.9.4 and earlier, specifically targeting four critical user-facing forms including Search, Edit Profile, Recommend, and User Approval functionalities. This security flaw stems from the improper implementation of hidden input fields within these web forms, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit. The use of hidden inputs in web applications typically serves to maintain state information or pass parameters between pages without requiring user interaction, but when implemented insecurely, these fields become potential vectors for malicious activity. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in input validation and data handling, aligning with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation and CWE-284 - Improper Access Control, which together encompass the fundamental security principles that should prevent unauthorized modifications to application state.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when hidden form fields contain sensitive data or control parameters that should not be directly manipulable by end users. Attackers can exploit this weakness by directly modifying the hidden input values in the HTTP requests, potentially bypassing authentication checks, altering user permissions, or manipulating application logic flows. The remote attack vector indicates that these vulnerabilities can be exploited without requiring physical access to the system or local network presence, making them particularly dangerous as they can be leveraged from any location with internet connectivity. This type of vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient validation of user-supplied data, where the application fails to properly verify the integrity and authenticity of input parameters that are transmitted between client and server components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive user information, privilege escalation, and potential complete system compromise depending on the application's architecture and the data handled by these forms. When attackers can manipulate hidden inputs in the Edit Profile and User Approval forms, they may gain unauthorized administrative privileges or modify user accounts to gain elevated access rights. The Search and Recommend forms, while seemingly less critical, could be exploited to manipulate search results or recommendation algorithms, potentially leading to information disclosure or manipulation of user experience. This vulnerability type also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 - Data from Information Repositories, where adversaries attempt to access or manipulate stored data through application-level vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation, removing or properly securing hidden fields, and implementing server-side validation of all parameters received from client forms. Organizations should ensure that sensitive data is not transmitted in hidden fields but rather maintained server-side in secure sessions or database storage. The recommended approach includes implementing proper authentication and authorization checks for all forms, using anti-CSRF tokens to prevent unauthorized form submissions, and conducting thorough input sanitization and validation. Additionally, the application should be updated to version 0.9.9.5 or later, where this vulnerability has been addressed through improved form handling and input validation mechanisms. Security teams should also implement web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect unusual patterns of form submissions that might indicate exploitation attempts, while following security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for web application security.