CVE-2007-6661 in 2z project
Summary
by MITRE
2z project 0.9.6.1 allows attackers to change the password without supplying the old password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6661 affects the 2z project version 0.9.6.1, representing a critical flaw in the application's authentication mechanism that undermines the security of user account management. This issue falls under the category of improper authentication controls and can be classified as a CWE-287 vulnerability, which specifically addresses authentication bypass or weak authentication mechanisms. The flaw allows malicious actors to perform unauthorized password changes without providing the legitimate old password, fundamentally compromising the integrity of the user authentication system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a design flaw in the password change functionality where the application fails to validate the current password before accepting a new one. This weakness creates a privilege escalation path where attackers can modify any user account password without proper authorization, effectively gaining unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially the entire system. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate input validation and authentication checks within the password change routine, which should have enforced the requirement for the existing password as a prerequisite for modification. This type of flaw is particularly dangerous because it eliminates the need for legitimate authentication tokens or session validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account compromise, as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by attackers at any time without requiring prior access to user credentials. An attacker who gains access to the application can immediately change any user's password, effectively locking out legitimate users while simultaneously gaining unauthorized access to their accounts. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as it enables unauthorized access to systems through legitimate authentication mechanisms that have been improperly implemented. The flaw essentially provides a backdoor method for attackers to maintain persistent access to the system without needing to perform additional reconnaissance or exploitation steps.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate implementation fix and broader security improvements within the application. The primary solution involves implementing proper authentication checks that require the current password before allowing any password modification, ensuring that all password change operations enforce the principle of least privilege. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as account lockout mechanisms, session management improvements, and monitoring for unauthorized password change attempts. The fix should align with industry best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-63B for authentication management and ISO/IEC 27001 for information security controls. Regular security testing and code reviews should be implemented to prevent similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities in future releases, while also ensuring that all user account management functions properly validate authorization before executing sensitive operations.