CVE-2007-6495 in Hosting Controller
Summary
by MITRE
inc_newuser.asp in Hosting Controller 6.1 Hot fix 3.3 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to change the permissions of directories named (1) db, (2) www, (3) Special, and (4) log at arbitrary locations under the web root via a modified Dirroot parameter in an AddUser action to accounts/AccountActions.asp. NOTE: this can be leveraged for remote code execution by changing the permissions of \Forum\db, which is configured for execution of ASP scripts with administrative privileges, and then uploading a script to \Forum\db.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6495 represents a critical access control flaw within Hosting Controller 6.1 Hot fix 3.3 and earlier versions. This issue resides in the inc_newuser.asp component which handles user account creation processes. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and permission handling mechanisms that fail to properly restrict directory manipulation operations. Remote authenticated users can exploit this weakness to modify permissions of specifically named directories including db, www, Special, and log located at arbitrary positions beneath the web root directory. The flaw exists within the accounts/AccountActions.asp interface where the Dirroot parameter is processed without sufficient sanitization or authorization checks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a multi-step attack pattern that demonstrates sophisticated privilege escalation capabilities. Attackers first leverage the modified Dirroot parameter to alter directory permissions, specifically targeting the \Forum\db directory which is configured with administrative execution privileges for ASP scripts. This targeted approach exploits the web server's configuration where the Forum\db directory is designated for script execution, creating a pathway for arbitrary code injection. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to transform a legitimate user account into a privileged execution environment by manipulating directory access controls rather than directly exploiting authentication mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote code execution capabilities that can compromise entire hosting environments. The attack chain begins with authenticated access and progresses to full system compromise through permission manipulation followed by malicious script deployment. The affected Hosting Controller version represents a significant security risk for web hosting providers who may be running multiple customer accounts on shared infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on hosting controller for account management and user privilege control, as it undermines the fundamental security boundaries between different user accounts and system resources.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1546 for permission manipulation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest Hosting Controller versions, implementing stricter input validation for directory parameters, and enforcing principle of least privilege for directory permissions. Network segmentation and monitoring of account actions can help detect anomalous permission changes. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that directory permissions are properly restricted and that no directories configured for script execution are accessible for unauthorized permission modifications. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper access control implementation and input validation in web applications handling user account management functions.