CVE-2008-4334 in PHP infoBoard
Summary
by MITRE
PHP infoBoard V.7 Plus allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrative access by setting the infouser cookie to 1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4334 affects PHP infoBoard V.7 Plus, a web-based bulletin board system that was widely used for community forums and discussion platforms. This authentication bypass flaw represents a critical security weakness that directly undermines the system's access control mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user credentials within the application's cookie-based authentication system, allowing malicious actors to escalate privileges without legitimate authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the infouser cookie parameter. When an attacker sets this specific cookie value to 1, the application incorrectly interprets this as administrative privileges, bypassing all standard authentication checks. This flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and privilege verification within the application's session management system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no complex exploitation techniques, relying instead on simple cookie manipulation that can be performed through browser developer tools or basic web request manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains full administrative privileges, including the ability to modify forum content, delete posts, manipulate user accounts, and potentially access sensitive data stored within the bulletin board system. This level of access can lead to data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within networks where the vulnerable system resides. The vulnerability also creates a persistent threat vector that remains exploitable as long as the affected version is deployed, making it particularly concerning for organizations that failed to patch this issue promptly.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-287 - Improper Authentication, which addresses insufficient or improper authentication mechanisms in software applications. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 - Valid Accounts, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access using legitimate authentication mechanisms that have been improperly implemented. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest version of PHP infoBoard, implementing proper cookie validation mechanisms, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all web applications to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual cookie manipulation patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper session management and privilege verification in web applications. Modern security practices recommend implementing multi-factor authentication, proper cookie security attributes such as HttpOnly and Secure flags, and robust input validation for all user-controllable parameters. Organizations should also establish automated vulnerability scanning processes that can identify similar issues in legacy applications, as many older web platforms contain similar authentication bypass flaws that have been documented in various security databases and vulnerability advisories.