CVE-2007-5113 in Urchin
Summary
by MITRE
report.cgi in Google Urchin allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and obtain sensitive information (web server logs) via certain modified query parameters, as demonstrated using the profile, rid, prefs, n, vid, bd, ed, dt, and gtype parameters, a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-5112.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5113 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Google Urchin's report.cgi component that enables remote attackers to access sensitive web server logs without proper authorization. This issue specifically targets the web analytics platform that was widely used for tracking and analyzing website traffic data, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on the system for business intelligence and operational monitoring. The vulnerability manifests through manipulation of specific query parameters in the URL, allowing unauthorized access to detailed reporting information that should typically be restricted to authenticated administrators.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of several key parameters including profile, rid, prefs, n, vid, bd, ed, dt, and gtype within the report.cgi script. These parameters control different aspects of the reporting functionality and when improperly validated or filtered, they can be exploited to bypass the authentication mechanisms that normally protect access to sensitive log data. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation where user-supplied parameters are not adequately sanitized or authenticated before being processed, leading to unauthorized information disclosure. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-285 category of Improper Authorization, specifically addressing weaknesses in access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to access protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise the integrity of web analytics data and expose sensitive operational information. Organizations using Google Urchin would face risks including exposure of competitor analysis data, user behavior patterns, server configuration details, and potentially other sensitive operational metrics that were intended to remain confidential. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the analytics platform and could lead to significant business impact if attackers were able to extract detailed information about website traffic patterns, user demographics, or server performance metrics. This type of information disclosure could be particularly damaging when combined with other reconnaissance activities, as it provides attackers with valuable insights into target infrastructure and operational practices.
From a security perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, though more specifically relates to T1566 for Credential Access through the exploitation of authentication bypass mechanisms. The attack vector demonstrates how a single flaw in parameter validation can create a pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive data, highlighting the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual access patterns or parameter manipulation attempts, while also ensuring that all web applications undergo thorough security testing for similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include proper access controls, input validation, and continuous monitoring of web application behavior to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information systems.