CVE-2007-3418 in WebAPP
Summary
by MITRE
The displaypost function in cgi-bin/cgi-lib/forum_display.pl in web-app.org WebAPP before 0.9.9.7 does not display usernames in conjunction with real names, which makes it easier for remote authenticated users to impersonate other users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3418 resides within the web-app.org WebAPP forum software version 0.9.9.6 and earlier, specifically affecting the displaypost function located in the cgi-bin/cgi-lib/forum_display.pl script. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that undermines user authentication integrity and enables social engineering attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of user identification data during forum post display operations, where the system fails to consistently present both username and real names together, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit this inconsistency for impersonation purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the displaypost function's failure to maintain consistent user identity presentation across different forum display contexts. When authenticated users interact with the forum system, the function processes and renders post data without ensuring that username and real name information are displayed together in a consistent manner. This inconsistency creates a scenario where an attacker can observe the system's behavior patterns and potentially manipulate their own identity presentation to mimic other users, particularly when the system displays either username or real name separately rather than in combination. The flaw manifests as a lack of proper user identity correlation within the display logic, which can be exploited by attackers who understand the system's display patterns and can craft their own posts or interactions to appear as legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple identity confusion, representing a serious threat to forum integrity and user trust within the web-app.org WebAPP environment. Remote authenticated users can leverage this weakness to conduct impersonation attacks, potentially gaining unauthorized influence over forum discussions, manipulating community dynamics, or accessing restricted information that might be associated with specific user identities. This vulnerability directly affects the system's authentication and authorization mechanisms by creating opportunities for credential theft through social engineering or identity confusion attacks. The risk is particularly elevated in collaborative forum environments where user reputation and identity verification are crucial for maintaining discussion quality and security. Organizations using this software may experience compromised community trust, unauthorized content manipulation, and potential escalation to more serious security breaches if the impersonation attacks are used to gain access to sensitive forum areas or user data.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session management, and relates to broader ATT&CK techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation through identity manipulation. This weakness also connects to CWE-384, which covers session fixation and identity confusion issues in web applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it operates at the presentation layer of the application, making it difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring while still enabling significant user impersonation capabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to WebAPP version 0.9.9.7 or later, where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper user identity correlation in display functions. Additional protective measures include implementing consistent user identity presentation across all forum display contexts, conducting regular security audits of display logic, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect unusual user behavior patterns that might indicate impersonation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining consistent identity verification throughout application interfaces, particularly in collaborative environments where user trust and identity integrity are fundamental to system security.