CVE-2008-4165 in Kolab Groupware Server
Summary
by MITRE
admin/user/create_user.php in Kolab Groupware Server 1.0.0 places a user password in an HTTP GET request, which allows local administrators, and possibly remote attackers, to obtain cleartext passwords by reading the ssl_access_log file or the referer string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4165 resides within the Kolab Groupware Server version 1.0.0, specifically in the admin/user/create_user.php component. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that exposes user authentication credentials through improper handling of sensitive data within HTTP requests. The vulnerability stems from the server's implementation where user passwords are transmitted via HTTP GET parameters instead of secure POST methods, creating an inherent weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors with varying levels of access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper placement of passwords within HTTP GET requests, which are inherently insecure due to their visibility in web server logs, browser history, and referer headers. When local administrators or remote attackers can access the ssl_access_log file or analyze the referer string, they gain access to cleartext passwords that were never properly encrypted or obscured during transmission. This design flaw directly violates fundamental security principles regarding credential handling and demonstrates poor implementation of secure communication protocols. The vulnerability maps to CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-200 (Information Exposure) within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, highlighting the exposure of sensitive data through insecure transmission mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially compromises the entire Kolab Groupware environment. Local administrators with access to server logs can immediately retrieve passwords without requiring additional attack vectors, while remote attackers may exploit this through various reconnaissance techniques to capture referer headers from compromised systems. The exposure of cleartext passwords in server logs creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the vulnerability is patched and the logs are properly sanitized. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 (Phishing) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as it enables attackers to obtain legitimate user credentials through insecure transmission methods, allowing them to establish persistent access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of secure credential handling practices within the Kolab Groupware Server. The primary fix involves modifying the create_user.php script to utilize HTTP POST requests instead of GET parameters for password transmission, ensuring that sensitive information is not exposed in server logs or referer headers. System administrators should also implement proper log sanitization procedures to remove sensitive data from access logs and configure web servers to prevent logging of sensitive parameters. Additional security measures include implementing proper authentication mechanisms, enforcing secure transmission protocols such as HTTPS, and conducting regular security audits of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive log files, while establishing proper access controls to limit who can view server logs and system information. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework to prevent similar issues in web application development.