CVE-2008-3268 in phpScheduleIt
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in phpScheduleIt 1.2.0 through 1.2.9, when useLogonName is enabled, allows remote attackers with administrator email address knowledge to bypass restrictions and gain privileges via unspecified vectors related to login names. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3268 affects phpScheduleIt versions 1.2.0 through 1.2.9 and represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that undermines the application's security controls. This issue specifically manifests when the useLogonName configuration parameter is enabled, creating a pathway for remote attackers to escalate privileges without proper authentication. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it allows attackers with knowledge of administrator email addresses to circumvent access controls and gain elevated privileges within the system. The unspecified vectors related to login names suggest that the flaw lies in how the application processes or validates user credentials during authentication, potentially allowing attackers to exploit weaknesses in the login name handling mechanism.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software systems, and represents a classic case of privilege escalation through flawed authentication logic. The flaw likely stems from inadequate validation of login name formats or insufficient checks during the authentication process when useLogonName is enabled. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specific login attempts that exploit the application's handling of administrator email addresses, potentially allowing them to assume administrative roles without proper credentials. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the application is exposed to external traffic.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3268 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and data breaches. An attacker who gains administrative privileges through this vulnerability could manipulate scheduling data, modify user accounts, access sensitive information, and potentially use the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks within the network. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the vulnerability requires only knowledge of an administrator's email address, which is often publicly available or easily obtained through reconnaissance activities. This makes the exploit relatively accessible to threat actors and increases the likelihood of successful compromise.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected phpScheduleIt installations to version 1.3.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this authorization bypass. System administrators should also consider disabling the useLogonName feature if it is not essential for business operations, as this configuration parameter directly enables the vulnerability. Network-level controls such as firewalls and access controls should be implemented to restrict access to the phpScheduleIt application, particularly limiting access to trusted IP addresses. Additionally, monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns or attempts to access administrative functions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and authorization checks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1484 for elevation of privileges, making it a critical concern for organizations maintaining scheduling and resource management systems.