CVE-2008-7180 in Telephone Directory 2008
Summary
by MITRE
del_query1.php in Telephone Directory 2008 allows remote attackers to delete arbitrary contacts via a direct request with a modified id variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7180 affects the Telephone Directory 2008 web application, specifically targeting the del_query1.php component. This issue represents a critical authorization flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's deletion functionality through direct HTTP requests. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the application's backend processing logic, allowing unauthorized users to construct malicious requests that bypass normal authentication and authorization checks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the id variable parameter within the del_query1.php script. When an attacker crafts a direct HTTP request with a modified id value, the application processes the deletion operation without proper verification of the requester's authorization level or ownership rights to the target contact record. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference vulnerability, where the application fails to validate that the requesting user has legitimate permissions to delete the specified resource. The flaw falls under CWE-639 which specifically addresses insecure direct object references in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data deletion, creating potential for significant data integrity compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive contact information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to systematically delete contact records from the directory, potentially disrupting business communications and creating denial of service conditions for legitimate users. The vulnerability also poses risks to data confidentiality as attackers may gain insights into the directory structure and potentially access information about other users' contacts through successful exploitation attempts. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and access control mechanisms. The application must validate that each deletion request originates from an authenticated user with appropriate privileges for the target resource. Implementing proper parameter sanitization and using indirect object references instead of direct object references can prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, the application should enforce strict access control policies that verify user permissions before processing any deletion requests. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. The remediation approach should follow security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to ensure comprehensive protection against similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities.