CVE-2007-2002 in InoutMailingListManager
Summary
by MITRE
InoutMailingListManager 3.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to access certain restricted functionality, and upload and execute arbitrary PHP code, by setting an arbitrary admin cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2002 affects InoutMailingListManager version 3.1 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized administrative access to the system. This vulnerability stems from improper session management and authentication controls within the application's cookie handling mechanism. The flaw specifically allows attackers to manipulate administrative cookies, effectively granting them full administrative privileges without proper authentication. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachments, as the attack vector involves manipulating session cookies to obtain elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits weak cookie validation and session management within the InoutMailingListManager application. When an attacker sets a custom admin cookie, the system fails to properly verify the authenticity of the cookie or validate the user's privileges, allowing unauthorized access to administrative functions. This flaw enables attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures and access restricted areas of the application that should only be available to legitimate administrators. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it allows execution of arbitrary PHP code, making it a severe privilege escalation vulnerability. The underlying issue lies in the application's failure to implement proper cryptographic validation of session identifiers and insufficient input sanitization of cookie values.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2002 is devastating for organizations using affected versions of InoutMailingListManager, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the mailing list management system. Once an attacker successfully manipulates the admin cookie, they can upload malicious files, execute arbitrary PHP code, modify user accounts, access sensitive mailing list data, and potentially use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability essentially transforms any remote attacker into a privileged user with full system control, enabling data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential lateral movement throughout the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers of varying skill levels.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to protect their systems. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of InoutMailingListManager that properly implements session management and authentication controls. Additionally, administrators should implement proper cookie security measures including secure flag settings, HttpOnly flags, and proper session regeneration mechanisms. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious cookie manipulation patterns. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing proper access controls, monitoring authentication attempts, and establishing incident response procedures to quickly detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication mechanisms and session management in preventing privilege escalation attacks.