CVE-2007-2578 in ACP3
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in search/list/action_search/index.php in ACP3 4.0 beta 3 allows remote attackers to have unknown impact, relating to "Cookie Manipulation", via the form[search_term] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2578 resides within the ACP3 4.0 beta 3 content management system, specifically in the search/list/action_search/index.php script. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to manipulate cookies in a manner that could lead to arbitrary code execution or unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability is classified as unspecified because the exact nature of the impact remains undetermined, though the cookie manipulation aspect suggests potential for privilege escalation or session hijacking attacks.
The technical exploitation occurs through the form[search_term] parameter which is processed without proper input validation or sanitization. When an attacker manipulates cookies containing this parameter, they can potentially inject malicious payloads that bypass normal authentication mechanisms or execute unintended operations within the application context. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and specifically relates to CWE-352 "Cross-Site Request Forgery" and CWE-79 "Cross-Site Scripting" when considering the cookie manipulation aspect. The attack vector leverages the principle of insufficient validation of user-supplied data, which is a fundamental security weakness in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or unauthorized access. Remote attackers could potentially gain administrative privileges, manipulate database contents, or compromise the entire application infrastructure. The unspecified nature of the impact suggests that depending on the system configuration and implementation details, the vulnerability could enable various attack scenarios including but not limited to session fixation, privilege escalation, or even complete system compromise. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and could allow attackers to perform operations that should be restricted to authorized personnel only.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2578 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach includes implementing proper cookie security measures such as secure flags, HttpOnly attributes, and SameSite controls to prevent cookie manipulation attacks. Additionally, developers should implement strict parameter validation for all user inputs including the form[search_term] parameter, employ proper session management techniques, and establish robust authentication mechanisms. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.002 "Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism" and emphasizes the need for proper access control implementation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls, regular security code reviews, and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application's codebase. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure cookie handling practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 security requirements.