CVE-2008-6300 in Galatolo WebManager
Summary
by MITRE
Galatolo WebManager 1.3a allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrative access by setting the (1) gwm_user and (2) gwm_pass cookies to admin. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
This vulnerability exists in Galatolo WebManager version 1.3a, a web-based management interface that suffers from a critical authentication bypass flaw. The issue stems from improper input validation and cookie handling mechanisms that fail to properly verify user credentials before granting administrative privileges. Attackers can exploit this weakness by simply manipulating two specific cookies named gwm_user and gwm_pass, setting both to the value "admin" which allows immediate unauthorized access to the system with full administrative capabilities.
The technical flaw represents a classic case of insecure authentication handling where the application relies on client-side cookie values rather than implementing proper server-side validation mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the category of weak session management and credential validation issues, which are commonly classified as CWE-287 (Improper Certificate Validation) or CWE-305 (Authentication Bypass Using Alternate Path or Channel). The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture where authentication decisions are made based on easily manipulable client-side data rather than robust server-side verification processes.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe security risk that allows remote attackers to gain full administrative control over the WebManager system without requiring legitimate credentials or knowledge of existing user accounts. The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access as administrators may be able to modify system configurations, view sensitive data, create new user accounts, or even compromise underlying network infrastructure. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can leverage this bypass to establish persistent access or conduct further reconnaissance activities.
The attack vector is particularly concerning due to its remote nature and the minimal effort required to exploit it. Attackers need only manipulate cookies in their browser to gain administrative privileges, making this vulnerability extremely dangerous in environments where the WebManager is accessible over the internet. The lack of proper input sanitization and authentication verification creates an attack surface that can be exploited by anyone with basic web browser knowledge, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling cookie-based authentication, implementing proper input validation, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of all web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities.