CVE-2008-5219 in VideoScript
Summary
by MITRE
The password change feature (admin/cp.php) in VideoScript 4.0.1.50 and earlier does not check for administrative authentication and does not require knowledge of the original password, which allows remote attackers to change the admin account password via modified npass and npass1 parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5219 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within VideoScript version 4.0.1.50 and earlier installations. This weakness exists specifically within the administrative password change functionality located at the admin/cp.php endpoint, where the application fails to implement proper administrative authentication checks. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate the password change process by directly modifying the npass and npass1 parameters without requiring legitimate administrative credentials or knowledge of the current administrator password. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles of access control and authentication mechanisms that should protect administrative functions within web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authentication checks within the password change script. When an attacker submits modified npass and npass1 parameters to the admin/cp.php endpoint, the application processes these inputs without verifying that the requesting user possesses administrative privileges. This represents a classic case of insufficient authentication checks, which maps directly to CWE-287 - Improper Authentication and CWE-306 - Missing Authentication for Critical Function. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor path that bypasses all normal authentication procedures, allowing unauthorized users to assume administrative control over the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple password modification, as it provides attackers with complete administrative access to the VideoScript application. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can modify user accounts, access sensitive data, alter content, and potentially use the compromised administrative account to launch further attacks against the underlying system or network. The remote nature of this exploit means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 - Valid Accounts, where adversaries leverage compromised administrative credentials to maintain persistent access and escalate privileges within the target environment.
Organizations utilizing VideoScript 4.0.1.50 or earlier versions face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it essentially eliminates the security boundary that should protect administrative functions. The lack of authentication requirements means that any user with access to the web application can exploit this flaw, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper input validation and authentication checks for all administrative functions. The remediation approach should focus on implementing robust authentication mechanisms that verify administrative privileges before allowing any password change operations to proceed. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.