CVE-2007-3630 in AV Tutorial Script
Summary
by MITRE
changePW.php in AV Tutorial Script (avtutorial) 1.0 does not require authentication or knowledge of an old password for password changes, which allows remote attackers to change passwords for arbitrary users via a modified password parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3630 affects the AV Tutorial Script version 1.0, specifically targeting the changePW.php component. This represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that fundamentally undermines the security model of user password management within the application. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper authentication checks and validation mechanisms that should normally be enforced during password modification operations. Security researchers have classified this issue as a severe weakness in the application's access control implementation, as it permits unauthorized modification of user credentials without proper verification of the current password or user identity.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the changePW.php script which fails to validate whether the requesting user possesses the necessary authorization to modify a specific user's password. This script accepts a modified password parameter and processes the change without requiring either the current password for the target account or explicit authentication of the user attempting the modification. The vulnerability operates under CWE-287 which specifically addresses improper authentication issues in software applications. This weakness creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the password change functionality through simple parameter modification, effectively allowing them to assume control of any user account within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to gain unauthorized access to user accounts across the entire application. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious requests that modify the target user's password parameter, thereby enabling them to take control of any account without needing legitimate credentials or prior access to the system. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and unauthorized access methods. The implications are particularly severe for any environment where user accounts are managed through this script, as it essentially removes the password change security mechanism entirely.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on implementing proper authentication and authorization checks within the password change functionality. The recommended approach involves requiring explicit authentication of the user attempting the password modification, including validation of the current password before accepting any new password value. Additionally, the application should implement proper session management and access control mechanisms that verify user identity and authorization levels before processing password change requests. Security measures should also include input validation and parameter sanitization to prevent parameter tampering attacks. Organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication for password change operations and establishing logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized password modification attempts. The fix should align with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for authentication and access control implementations.