CVE-2008-4644 in myStats
Summary
by MITRE
hits.php in myWebland myStats allows remote attackers to bypass IP address restrictions via a modified X-Forwarded-For HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4644 affects the hits.php script within myWebland myStats software, presenting a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to circumvent IP address access controls. This issue specifically targets the application's handling of HTTP headers, particularly the X-Forwarded-For header which is commonly used to identify the original IP address of a client connecting to a web server through an HTTP proxy or load balancer. The flaw resides in the software's improper validation and processing of this header, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the perceived client IP address and gain unauthorized access to restricted functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's reliance on the X-Forwarded-For HTTP header for access control decisions without proper sanitization or verification of the header's authenticity. When a client makes a request through a proxy or load balancer, the X-Forwarded-For header typically contains the original client IP address that the proxy or load balancer received. However, this header can be easily modified by attackers who craft malicious HTTP requests with spoofed values. The myStats application fails to validate whether the X-Forwarded-For header originates from a trusted source or has been tampered with, effectively allowing unauthorized access to IP-restricted features.
This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system by enabling unauthorized users to bypass network access controls that are designed to restrict access based on IP address ranges. The operational consequences extend beyond simple access bypass, as it can lead to unauthorized data collection, modification of statistics, and potential exploitation of other application features that may be protected by IP-based restrictions. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a classic case of insecure input validation and trust assumptions in web applications, where the system places undue trust in information provided by the client without proper verification mechanisms.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and demonstrates weaknesses in the principle of least privilege enforcement within web applications. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain access to administrative or restricted functionalities that should only be available to specific IP address ranges, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, or further exploitation within the network environment. The impact is particularly concerning in environments where myStats is used to track sensitive access patterns or where IP-based restrictions are implemented as part of a broader security strategy.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization of HTTP headers, particularly those that can be manipulated by clients. Organizations should ensure that IP address restrictions are enforced at multiple layers including network infrastructure, application level, and potentially through authentication mechanisms. The recommended approach involves validating the X-Forwarded-For header against known trusted proxy servers or implementing a whitelist of legitimate proxy addresses. Additionally, security controls should be implemented to prevent modification of critical HTTP headers or to authenticate the source of such headers through cryptographic means. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to identify similar trust-based vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, particularly focusing on proper authentication and authorization mechanisms that do not rely solely on client-supplied information without verification.