CVE-2007-6724 in Vidalia bundle
Summary
by MITRE
Vidalia bundle before 0.1.2.18, when running on Windows, installs Privoxy with a configuration file (config.txt or config) that contains an insecure enable-remote-http-toggle setting, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and modify configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6724 affects the Vidalia bundle version 0.1.2.18 and earlier on Windows operating systems. This issue stems from an insecure default configuration of the Privoxy proxy server component that is bundled with Vidalia. The specific flaw lies in the configuration file named config.txt or config which contains an improperly set enable-remote-http-toggle parameter. This misconfiguration creates a significant security weakness that directly contradicts standard security practices for proxy server implementations and represents a clear violation of secure configuration principles.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit the insecure enable-remote-http-toggle setting to bypass intended access restrictions and modify the Privoxy configuration remotely. This configuration parameter, when enabled, permits remote HTTP toggle functionality that should typically be restricted to local administrative access only. The flaw essentially creates an unauthorized remote administration interface that enables attackers to manipulate proxy settings without proper authentication. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges and access control mechanisms, and specifically relates to CWE-284, which deals with improper access control in network services. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it allows for remote configuration modification of a core network proxy component that is fundamental to the Tor network's privacy protections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes as it compromises the integrity of the entire proxy infrastructure that Vidalia provides. When an attacker can remotely modify Privoxy settings, they gain the ability to redirect traffic, alter filtering rules, or even disable proxy functionality entirely. This poses a significant risk to users who rely on Vidalia for anonymous browsing through the Tor network, as the compromised proxy could potentially leak identifying information or redirect users to malicious destinations. The vulnerability directly affects the security model of the Tor network by undermining the expected isolation and protection that users should experience. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for application layer protocol: DNS and T1071.001 for application layer protocol: web protocols, as it enables unauthorized modification of proxy configurations that handle web traffic. The vulnerability also relates to T1566 for credential access through social engineering and T1021.001 for remote services through exploitation of weak authentication mechanisms.
The primary mitigation strategy involves updating to Vidalia bundle version 0.1.2.18 or later, which includes the corrected Privoxy configuration that properly disables the remote HTTP toggle functionality. System administrators should also verify that the Privoxy configuration files are properly secured and that the enable-remote-http-toggle setting is disabled. Organizations using Vidalia should conduct security audits to ensure that no unauthorized modifications have occurred and consider implementing additional network monitoring to detect unusual proxy behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure default configurations and proper privilege management in network security tools, as even well-intentioned security software can become a liability when default settings are not properly secured. This issue underscores the necessity for regular security assessments of bundled components and proper configuration management practices that align with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 requirements for secure system configuration and access control.