CVE-2008-0165 in Ikiwiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Ikiwiki before 2.42 allows remote attackers to modify user preferences, including passwords, via the (1) preferences and (2) edit forms.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2019
The CVE-2008-0165 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in Ikiwiki versions prior to 2.42, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in web application security mechanisms that enables unauthorized modifications to user preferences. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication and authorization controls within the Ikiwiki content management system, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the trust relationship between users and the web application. The flaw manifests through two primary attack vectors: the preferences form and the edit form, both of which are essential components for user interaction and content management within the system. The vulnerability operates by tricking authenticated users into executing unintended actions without their knowledge, leveraging the browser's automatic inclusion of cookies and authentication tokens with each request to the vulnerable application.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF token validation mechanisms within the Ikiwiki application's form processing logic. When users access the preferences or edit forms, the application fails to verify that requests originate from legitimate user interactions rather than maliciously crafted requests. This weakness allows attackers to construct specially formatted web pages or send crafted HTTP requests that, when executed by an authenticated user, perform unauthorized modifications to user preferences including password changes. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it directly impacts user account security and can lead to complete account compromise, as demonstrated by the ability to modify passwords through the preferences form. The flaw aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities and emphasizes the importance of validating the origin and authenticity of user requests to prevent unauthorized actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple preference modifications to encompass significant security implications for user accounts and system integrity. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to user accounts by changing passwords, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized content modification. The vulnerability affects the core authentication mechanisms of the Ikiwiki system, undermining the trust model that users place in the application's security controls. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the target system or knowledge of the user's credentials beyond their session cookie. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may be tricked into visiting malicious websites or where automated attacks can be deployed at scale. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the vulnerability affects multiple critical user functions, making it a high-value target for threat actors seeking persistent access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0165 must address the fundamental lack of CSRF protection mechanisms within the Ikiwiki application. The most effective solution involves implementing robust anti-CSRF token validation across all state-changing operations, including the preferences and edit forms mentioned in the vulnerability description. This approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which focuses on credential access through social engineering, by preventing unauthorized modifications to user accounts. System administrators should immediately upgrade to Ikiwiki version 2.42 or later, which includes the necessary security patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and request origin verification mechanisms would provide defense-in-depth measures that complement the core CSRF protection. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious request patterns that might indicate CSRF attack attempts, particularly focusing on authentication-related operations that modify user preferences and account settings. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of implementing comprehensive security controls, including anti-CSRF measures, in all web applications that handle user authentication and authorization functions.