CVE-2008-6774 in YourPlace
Summary
by MITRE
internettoolbar/edit.php in YourPlace 1.0.2 and earlier does not end execution when an invalid username is detected, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended restrictions and edit toolbar settings via an invalid username. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6774 resides within the internettoolbar/edit.php component of YourPlace 1.0.2 and earlier versions, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the software's security model. This issue manifests when the application fails to properly terminate execution upon detecting an invalid username, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to circumvent intended security restrictions. The flaw operates at the authentication and authorization layer, where proper validation mechanisms are bypassed, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the toolbar settings interface without proper credentials.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software systems, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to privilege escalation. When an invalid username is submitted to the edit.php endpoint, the application's logic does not adequately handle this condition, resulting in continued execution flow that permits further interaction with the toolbar configuration interface. This behavior creates an implicit backdoor where unauthorized users can access administrative functions typically restricted to legitimate administrators.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on YourPlace toolbar functionality, as it allows remote attackers to modify toolbar settings without proper authentication. The impact extends beyond simple configuration changes, potentially enabling attackers to inject malicious code, alter user preferences, or establish persistent access points within the affected systems. The remote exploitability aspect means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to leverage this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such toolbars might be deployed across multiple endpoints.
The security implications of this flaw align with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation,' as unauthorized users can exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges within the toolbar management interface. Additionally, the vulnerability could facilitate subsequent attacks through technique T1566, 'Phishing,' if attackers use the compromised toolbar settings to redirect users to malicious sites or collect sensitive information. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual access patterns in toolbar configuration interfaces to detect potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6774 should prioritize immediate patching of affected YourPlace installations to version 1.0.3 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper execution termination upon invalid username detection. Network administrators should implement access controls that limit exposure of the vulnerable edit.php endpoint to trusted networks only, while also deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious authentication patterns. Regular security audits of web applications should include verification of proper input validation and execution flow control mechanisms, particularly in components handling user authentication and administrative functions. The vulnerability underscores the importance of defensive programming practices and proper error handling in web applications, where inadequate validation can lead to severe security consequences.