CVE-2007-1436 in LedgerSMB
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in admin.pl in SQL-Ledger before 2.6.26 and LedgerSMB before 1.1.9 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via unknown vectors that prevents a password check from occurring.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1436 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting SQL-Ledger versions prior to 2.6.26 and LedgerSMB versions prior to 1.1.9. This issue resides within the admin.pl script which serves as a critical administrative interface for these accounting and financial management systems. The vulnerability stems from an unspecified vector that fundamentally disrupts the password verification process, allowing unauthorized remote attackers to gain administrative access without proper authentication credentials. The flaw operates at the core authentication layer, where the system fails to properly validate user credentials, creating a persistent backdoor for malicious actors. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the fundamental security model of these financial applications that handle sensitive business data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability appears to involve a code path in the admin.pl script where authentication logic is either bypassed entirely or corrupted in such a way that password validation routines never execute as intended. The unspecified nature of the attack vector suggests that multiple potential code paths could trigger this behavior, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it may be exploitable through various methods. This could involve parameter manipulation, input validation bypasses, or even logic flaws in the authentication flow that prevent the system from reaching the password checking code sections. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and more specifically relates to CWE-305 which covers authentication bypass through multiple means. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that could allow attackers to modify financial records, access sensitive data, or perform administrative actions that could compromise the entire system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access as it represents a complete breakdown in the security architecture of these financial applications. Attackers could potentially manipulate accounting records, alter user permissions, or even delete critical financial data without detection. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on these systems for critical financial operations. This vulnerability would typically be categorized under the ATT&CK framework in the privilege escalation and credential access domains, specifically mapping to techniques involving authentication bypass and credential dumping. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face significant risk of financial fraud, data breaches, and regulatory violations, particularly in environments where financial compliance and audit trails are critical requirements.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of affected systems to versions 2.6.26 or later for SQL-Ledger and 1.1.9 or later for LedgerSMB. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, enforce strong access controls, and monitor for unusual authentication patterns or unauthorized access attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing multi-factor authentication, regular security audits, and comprehensive monitoring of administrative activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and the potential consequences of running legacy systems with known security flaws. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining unaddressed in the future, as this type of authentication bypass can have cascading effects on the entire security posture of an organization.