CVE-2007-2746 in WebGUI
Summary
by MITRE
The viewList function in lib/WebGUI/Asset/Wobject/DataForm.pm in Plain Black WebGUI before 7.3.14 does not properly use data structures containing privilege information, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information or possibly have other unspecified impact.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2746 resides within the Plain Black WebGUI content management system, specifically within the viewList function located in the lib/WebGUI/Asset/Wobject/DataForm.pm module. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects versions prior to 7.3.14, where the application fails to properly handle data structures containing privilege information. The vulnerability manifests when authenticated users interact with the system's data form functionality, creating potential exposure points for unauthorized information disclosure and privilege escalation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of privilege data structures within the viewList function. When the system processes user requests for viewing lists of data forms, it fails to adequately validate or sanitize the privilege information associated with these data structures. This improper data handling creates a condition where authenticated users can manipulate the system's privilege checking mechanisms to access information that should be restricted to higher-privileged users. The flaw essentially allows for privilege escalation through manipulation of the data structures that determine access rights, potentially enabling users to bypass normal security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's access control mechanisms. Remote authenticated users can exploit this weakness to obtain sensitive information that should be protected by the system's privilege model, potentially gaining access to confidential data, administrative functions, or other restricted resources. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description suggests that the vulnerability may also enable other security implications beyond the immediate information disclosure, such as potential privilege escalation to administrative levels or the ability to manipulate system configurations. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can severely compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the web application's data.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper output neutralization for logs, and CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access control issues. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials to gain access to additional systems or information. Organizations using affected versions of Plain Black WebGUI face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data, as the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal authentication and authorization checks. The impact is particularly concerning in environments where the web application serves as a central repository for business-critical information or where it handles sensitive user data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to version 7.3.14 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper privilege data structure handling. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the vulnerable application, enforce strict access controls, and monitor for suspicious activities related to data form access patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar privilege handling issues in other components of the web application. System administrators should also review and audit existing user permissions to ensure that access controls are properly configured and that no unnecessary privileges have been granted to users who may exploit this vulnerability.