CVE-2008-6586 in Web GUI
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in gui/index.php in µTorrent (uTorrent) WebUI 0.315 allows remote attackers to (1) hijack the authentication of users for requests that force the download of arbitrary torrent files via the add-url action and (2) hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that modify the administrator account via the setsetting action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2025
The CVE-2008-6586 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw in the µTorrent WebUI component that fundamentally undermines the security posture of the application. This vulnerability exists within the gui/index.php file of µTorrent version 0.315, exposing users to sophisticated attack vectors that can compromise both regular user sessions and administrative privileges. The flaw enables attackers to exploit the trust relationship between the web interface and legitimate users, allowing unauthorized actions to be executed on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanisms of the WebUI, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior through carefully crafted requests that leverage the existing session tokens.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper request validation mechanisms within the µTorrent WebUI's handling of administrative actions. Attackers can construct malicious web pages or exploit existing vulnerabilities in web browsers to submit requests that target the add-url and setsetting actions of the WebUI. When a victim with an active session visits a malicious page, the browser automatically includes the victim's authentication cookies, allowing the attacker to execute unauthorized download operations or modify administrative settings. The add-url action enables attackers to force the download of arbitrary torrent files, potentially leading to the execution of malicious content or the consumption of bandwidth resources. Meanwhile, the setsetting action provides access to administrative configuration modifications that can completely compromise the system's security posture. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery issues in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file downloads, as it provides attackers with the ability to assume administrative control over the µTorrent WebUI. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can modify user accounts, alter download settings, and potentially gain persistent access to the system through the torrent client's configuration. The remote nature of the attack means that victims need not be physically present or actively engaged with the system for exploitation to occur. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where µTorrent is deployed with administrative privileges, as the setsetting action can be used to modify critical system parameters including network settings, download directories, and user access controls. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the inherent trust relationship between the web browser and the µTorrent WebUI, making it difficult for users to detect unauthorized activity.
Mitigation strategies for this CSRF vulnerability should focus on implementing robust request validation and authentication mechanisms within the WebUI. The most effective approach involves implementing anti-CSRF tokens that are generated per session and validated for each request, ensuring that only legitimate requests originating from the authenticated user can modify system settings. Additionally, the WebUI should implement proper referer header validation and same-site cookie attributes to prevent cross-origin requests from being processed. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level controls that restrict access to the WebUI to trusted networks only, while ensuring that administrative accounts are protected with strong authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and request integrity checking as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which addresses valid accounts and credential access. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be implemented to address such vulnerabilities promptly, as the long-term exposure of systems to CSRF attacks can lead to significant security breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive data.