CVE-2007-6675 in XOOPS
Summary
by MITRE
The b_system_comments_show function in htdocs/modules/system/blocks/system_blocks.php in XOOPS before 2.0.18 does not check permissions, which allows remote attackers to read the comments in restricted modules.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6675 represents a critical access control flaw within the XOOPS content management system architecture. This issue affects versions prior to 2.0.18 and specifically targets the b_system_comments_show function located in the system blocks module. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the permission validation mechanism that governs user access to system components. When examining the technical implementation, the function operates without proper authorization checks, creating an explicit bypass opportunity for unauthorized users to access restricted content. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of the access control model that XOOPS employs to protect sensitive module data from unauthorized viewing.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms within software systems. The flaw exists in the block system functionality where comments from restricted modules should be protected but are instead exposed through the b_system_comments_show function. Attackers can exploit this by directly accessing the vulnerable function without needing valid credentials or authorization levels. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it allows adversaries to gather potentially sensitive data from protected modules within the CMS. This type of vulnerability creates a persistent security risk since it affects the core access control infrastructure rather than individual module implementations. The vulnerability's persistence in the system blocks module suggests a systemic issue in how the platform handles permission validation across different functional components.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to perform reconnaissance activities by accessing comments from restricted modules, potentially uncovering sensitive information about the system's internal structure, user activities, or module configurations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication, making it easily exploitable by anyone with network access to the vulnerable system. The impact on system security extends to potential escalation opportunities where attackers might use the discovered information to plan more sophisticated attacks against other system components. Organizations running affected versions of XOOPS face significant risk of unauthorized data access and information leakage. The vulnerability's presence in the system blocks component indicates a failure in the platform's security model to enforce proper access controls at the user interface level. This creates an attack surface that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to XOOPS version 2.0.18 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the permission checking flaw. Additionally, system administrators should implement network-level access controls to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted networks. The fix addresses the core issue by implementing proper permission validation within the b_system_comments_show function, ensuring that only authorized users can access comments from restricted modules. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review their overall access control policies to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other system components. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to verify that the permission checks function correctly across all module types. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of implementing robust access control mechanisms and conducting regular security assessments of CMS platforms to identify and address authorization flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors.