CVE-2008-6581 in PhpAddEdit
Summary
by MITRE
login.php in PhpAddEdit 1.3 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrative access by setting the addedit cookie parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6581 affects the PhpAddEdit 1.3 web application, specifically targeting the login.php script that handles user authentication processes. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that directly impacts the application's ability to maintain proper access controls and protect administrative functions from unauthorized users. The vulnerability exists within the cookie-based authentication mechanism, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the addedit cookie parameter that is used to determine user privileges and access levels. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of authentication bypass flaws that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring any local system access or prior credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insufficient session management within the PhpAddEdit application. When the login.php script processes the addedit cookie parameter, it does not adequately verify the integrity or authenticity of the cookie value, allowing attackers to manipulate the parameter to assume administrative privileges. This flaw essentially creates a backdoor within the authentication system where any remote user can manipulate the cookie value to gain elevated access rights. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient access control validation, where the application trusts user-supplied data without proper sanitization or verification mechanisms. According to CWE standards, this represents a weakness categorized under CWE-287 - Improper Authentication, specifically manifesting as an authentication bypass through manipulation of authentication tokens.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows remote attackers to completely circumvent the application's security controls and gain full administrative access to the system. Once exploited, attackers can perform any administrative function within the PhpAddEdit application, including but not limited to creating new user accounts, modifying existing user permissions, accessing sensitive data, and potentially using the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability essentially transforms the entire application into a potential attack vector that can be leveraged for data exfiltration, system compromise, or as a stepping stone for broader network infiltration activities. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target the vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the credential access and privilege escalation domains. Attackers can leverage this flaw as part of a broader attack chain to establish persistent access and move laterally within compromised environments. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to data confidentiality and integrity, as administrative access typically provides unrestricted access to all application data and functions. Organizations using PhpAddEdit 1.3 should immediately implement mitigations including proper input validation for all cookie parameters, implementing robust session management controls, and ensuring that authentication tokens are properly generated and verified. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version or replaced with a more secure alternative that properly implements authentication mechanisms. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure, as this type of authentication bypass vulnerability often indicates broader security weaknesses in the application's architecture and implementation practices.