CVE-2008-2682 in Realm
Summary
by MITRE
_RealmAdmin/login.asp in Realm CMS 2.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and access admin pages via certain modified cookies, probably including (1) cUserRole, (2) cUserName, and (3) cUserID.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2682 affects Realm CMS version 2.3 and earlier, specifically targeting the authentication mechanism within the _RealmAdmin/login.asp component. This represents a critical security flaw that allows remote attackers to bypass the intended authentication process and gain unauthorized administrative access to the system. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user credentials and session management within the web application's administrative interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves manipulation of cookie values that are typically used to maintain user session state and authorization levels. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting modified cookies with values for cUserRole, cUserName, and cUserID parameters that would normally be generated and validated by the application's authentication system. This cookie manipulation technique effectively allows unauthorized users to impersonate legitimate administrators by simply modifying existing session tokens rather than attempting to brute force legitimate credentials. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and session management controls that should prevent such unauthorized modifications.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected Realm CMS system. Successful exploitation enables attackers to gain full administrative privileges, which typically includes the ability to modify content, add or remove users, alter system configurations, and potentially access sensitive data. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or network, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. This type of authentication bypass vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access and privilege escalation categories, specifically targeting the use of stolen credentials and session management flaws.
The underlying cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper handling of authentication tokens and session management flaws. This weakness typically arises from insufficient validation of user-provided data, particularly session identifiers and authorization tokens that should be generated and managed server-side. Organizations implementing this vulnerable version of Realm CMS face significant exposure risks, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring specialized tools or extensive knowledge of the system's internal workings. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be executed through standard web browser manipulation techniques, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the Realm CMS to version 2.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for the authentication bypass issue. Organizations should also implement proper cookie security measures including secure flags, HttpOnly attributes, and proper session management practices that prevent client-side modification of authentication tokens. Additional protective measures include implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious cookie manipulation patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper session management and input validation, which should be integrated into all web application development processes. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar authentication bypass opportunities that may exist in other applications within their environment.