CVE-2008-1099 in MoinMoin
Summary
by MITRE
_macro_Getval in wikimacro.py in MoinMoin 1.5.8 and earlier does not properly enforce ACLs, which allows remote attackers to read protected pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1099 resides within the wikimacro.py module of MoinMoin version 1.5.8 and earlier, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of the wiki platform. This issue affects the macro_Getval function which is responsible for processing macro parameters and retrieving values from wiki pages. The flaw stems from inadequate validation of access control lists that govern page visibility and permissions within the MoinMoin wiki system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the authorization mechanism where the macro_Getval function fails to properly verify user permissions before executing operations on protected content. This weakness allows remote attackers to bypass the established access control restrictions that should prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive pages. The vulnerability specifically impacts the ACL enforcement logic, where the system does not adequately validate whether the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions to access the target page content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on MoinMoin wikis for collaborative documentation and knowledge management. Attackers can exploit this flaw to access confidential information, internal documentation, or restricted pages that should only be available to authorized personnel. The remote nature of the attack means that unauthorized users can potentially access protected content from any location without requiring physical access to the system or prior authentication credentials.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. This classification emphasizes the fundamental flaw in how the system manages permissions and authorization checks. The vulnerability also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for unauthorized access. Organizations may face data breaches, intellectual property theft, or exposure of sensitive information when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the MoinMoin software to version 1.5.9 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the ACL enforcement mechanism. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of wiki access patterns and consider implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to wiki services. Regular security assessments of wiki platforms and access control configurations should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also establish proper incident response procedures for detecting unauthorized access attempts and ensure that all users understand the importance of maintaining proper access controls within collaborative environments.