CVE-2008-7155 in NetRisk
Summary
by MITRE
NetRisk 1.9.7 does not properly restrict access to admin/change_submit.php, which allows remote attackers to change the password of arbitrary users via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7155 affects NetRisk version 1.9.7 and represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of the application. This issue stems from improper authentication and authorization mechanisms within the web application's administrative components, specifically targeting the admin/change_submit.php endpoint. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to exploit the system by directly submitting requests to this administrative interface, thereby bypassing normal user authentication processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the lack of proper access validation within the change_submit.php script. When an attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to this endpoint, the application fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses administrative privileges or even whether the request originates from an authenticated session. This absence of input validation and privilege checking creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized account manipulation. The vulnerability manifests as a failure to implement proper session management and user authorization checks, which are fundamental security controls that should prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe implications for organizations using NetRisk 1.9.7, as it enables attackers to compromise user accounts without requiring valid credentials or authentication. The ability to change arbitrary user passwords effectively grants attackers persistent access to the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This flaw aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software applications, and represents a classic example of how inadequate access controls can lead to privilege escalation attacks. The impact extends beyond simple password changes, as compromised accounts can be used to modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is particularly concerning due to its remote nature and the lack of authentication requirements. Attackers can exploit this flaw from any network location without needing physical access or valid user credentials, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation campaigns. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials, as attackers can effectively hijack existing user accounts through unauthorized password changes. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including access control restrictions, network segmentation, and application-level firewall rules to prevent direct access to administrative endpoints. The recommended remediation involves proper authentication checks, session management implementation, and ensuring that administrative functions require explicit authorization before execution. Additionally, regular security audits and input validation should be enforced to prevent similar issues in other application components, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for access control management and authentication protocols.