CVE-2008-7050 in Wowraidmanager
Summary
by MITRE
The password_check function in auth/auth_phpbb3.php in WoW Raid Manager 3.5.1 before Patch 1, when using PHPBB3 authentication, (1) does not invoke the CheckPassword function with the required arguments, which always triggers an authentication failure, and (2) returns true instead of false when an authentication failure occurs, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain privileges with an arbitrary password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-7050 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the WoW Raid Manager 3.5.1 software when utilizing PHPBB3 authentication mechanisms. This issue stems from a fundamental design flaw in the password_check function located within the auth/auth_phpbb3.php file, which directly impacts the software's ability to properly validate user credentials. The vulnerability operates at the core of the authentication system, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines the fundamental security premise of access control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two distinct but interconnected flaws in the password_check function's logic flow. First, the function fails to properly invoke the CheckPassword function with the necessary arguments required for authentication validation, causing all authentication attempts to fail regardless of the entered credentials. Second, and more critically, when authentication failures do occur, the function incorrectly returns a true value instead of the expected false value, effectively allowing any arbitrary password to grant access to the system. This dual failure creates a condition where the authentication system becomes completely ineffective, as it will accept any input without proper validation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to system security and data integrity. Attackers can exploit this flaw to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely, gaining unauthorized access to privileged system functions and potentially compromising the entire WoW Raid Manager environment. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as the vulnerability allows attackers to assume legitimate user identities and perform actions within the system that should be restricted to authorized personnel. This authentication bypass enables potential data theft, system manipulation, and unauthorized administrative actions that could severely compromise the security posture of organizations relying on this software.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper handling of authentication credentials, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access. Organizations using WoW Raid Manager 3.5.1 should immediately implement the recommended patch provided by the software vendor to address this critical flaw. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their authentication systems and consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication, network segmentation, and continuous monitoring to mitigate potential exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper authentication implementation and the severe consequences that can result from even seemingly minor flaws in security-critical code components.