CVE-2008-0351 in Evilsentinel
Summary
by MITRE
admin/config.php in Evilsentinel 1.0.9 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass the CAPTCHA test by omitting the es_security_captcha parameter and not invoking captcha.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0351 affects the Evilsentinel 1.0.9 content management system and earlier versions, specifically targeting the administrative configuration file admin/config.php. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that undermines the system's anti-automation protection mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of security parameters within the administrative interface, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to circumvent essential CAPTCHA verification processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a fundamental flaw in parameter validation logic. When the administrative configuration page processes requests, it fails to properly validate whether the CAPTCHA verification has been completed. Attackers can simply omit the es_security_captcha parameter from their requests and bypass the captcha.php execution entirely. This design flaw allows malicious actors to submit administrative actions without providing the required CAPTCHA response, effectively neutralizing the security measure intended to prevent automated attacks and brute force attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple access bypass, as it fundamentally compromises the system's ability to defend against automated threats. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform unauthorized administrative actions, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-346, which addresses the lack of proper validation of data integrity, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 for credential stuffing and T1110.004 for password spraying attacks. The absence of proper CAPTCHA validation creates an environment where automated attack tools can operate without restriction, making it easier to execute password guessing, account takeover, or privilege escalation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper parameter validation and input sanitization within the administrative configuration components. System administrators should ensure that all security parameters are properly validated before allowing access to administrative functions. The recommended approach involves implementing mandatory parameter checks that verify the presence and validity of CAPTCHA responses before processing any administrative requests. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing rate limiting mechanisms and enhanced monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. The fix should enforce strict validation of security tokens and ensure that all authentication checkpoints are mandatory, preventing the bypass scenario described in the vulnerability. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar parameter validation flaws that could compromise system integrity.