CVE-2007-1553 in Guestbara
Summary
by MITRE
admin/configuration.php in Guestbara 1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to modify the e-mail, name, and password of the admin account by setting the zapis parameter to "ok" and providing modified admin_mail, login, and pass parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1553 resides within the Guestbara 1.2 and earlier versions, specifically in the admin/configuration.php file. This represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that allows remote attackers to assume administrative privileges without proper authentication. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper access control mechanisms within the application's configuration management interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating specific parameters in the web request, effectively compromising the entire administrative account.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through parameter manipulation within the web application's configuration handling mechanism. When an attacker sets the zapis parameter to "ok" and simultaneously provides modified values for admin_mail, login, and pass parameters, the application processes these inputs without adequate verification or authorization checks. This flaw essentially allows arbitrary modification of critical administrative credentials, including email address, username, and password, effectively granting full administrative control over the Guestbara application. The vulnerability is classified as a classic case of insecure parameter handling and lacks proper input sanitization mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-1553 is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected Guestbara installation. Once exploited, attackers can modify all administrative settings, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no prior authentication and can be exploited remotely, making it an attractive target for automated attacks. This flaw violates fundamental security principles and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege, as it allows unauthorized modification of critical system parameters. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the Guestbara application to version 1.3 or later, where the security flaw has been addressed. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameter sanitization measures to prevent unauthorized parameter manipulation. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and access control lists can help detect and block exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation process should include disabling unnecessary administrative functions when not actively required and implementing proper logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized configuration changes. Security configurations should enforce strict parameter validation and ensure that all administrative operations require proper authentication and authorization before processing any sensitive parameter modifications.