CVE-2008-6538 in DeStar
Summary
by MITRE
DeStar 0.2.2-5 allows remote attackers to add arbitrary users via a direct request to config/add/CfgOptUser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6538 affects DeStar version 0.2.2-5, a software application that appears to be a configuration management tool or system administration interface. This flaw represents a critical authentication bypass vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute unauthorized user creation operations. The vulnerability exists within the application's configuration management subsystem, specifically in the direct request handler for user account creation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting and sending a direct HTTP request to the config/add/CfgOptUser endpoint without proper authentication or authorization checks, thereby gaining the ability to add arbitrary user accounts to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the DeStar application's web interface. The application fails to properly authenticate or authorize requests made to the config/add/CfgOptUser endpoint, creating an open door for malicious actors to inject new user accounts into the system. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization controls, which falls under the CWE-285 category of improper authorization. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to escalate their privileges by creating accounts with elevated permissions, potentially leading to full system compromise. The lack of proper session management and authentication checks at this endpoint enables attackers to bypass normal user registration and administrative approval processes that should normally prevent unauthorized account creation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized user creation, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the system. Once an attacker successfully adds a new user account, they can potentially maintain access even after initial exploitation attempts are discovered. This vulnerability enables various attack vectors including privilege escalation, persistent backdoor access, and potential lateral movement within the network. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows remote exploitation without requiring any local system access or prior authentication credentials. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1133 which covers external remote services, and T1078 which addresses valid accounts. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK tactic TA0001 (Initial Access) and TA0003 (Persistence) as attackers can establish unauthorized accounts for long-term system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6538 should focus on implementing robust access controls and authentication mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should immediately restrict access to the config/add/CfgOptUser endpoint through proper authentication checks, ensuring that only authorized administrative users can create new accounts. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to administrative endpoints to trusted IP ranges only. The application should be updated to a patched version that properly validates all incoming requests and implements proper authorization controls. Additional security measures include implementing rate limiting on user creation endpoints, logging all user account creation activities for audit purposes, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and ensuring that all web applications follow secure coding practices to prevent similar issues in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all application endpoints, particularly those handling sensitive operations like user account management.