CVE-2008-7188 in ClipShare
Summary
by MITRE
ClipShare 2.6 does not properly restrict access to certain functionality, which allows remote attackers to change the profile of arbitrary users via a modified uid variable to siteadmin/useredit.php. NOTE: this can be used to recover the password of the user by using the modified e-mail address in the email parameter to recoverpass.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
CVE-2008-7188 represents a critical access control vulnerability in ClipShare 2.6, a web-based video sharing platform. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and authorization checks within the application's administrative functions. The flaw specifically manifests in the siteadmin/useredit.php script which fails to properly validate the uid parameter, allowing remote attackers to manipulate user identifiers and gain unauthorized access to user profiles. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in authorization controls under CWE-285, specifically involving insufficient authorization checks for administrative functions. This issue enables attackers to perform privilege escalation by modifying the uid variable to target any user account within the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a straightforward but dangerous attack pattern. Attackers can manipulate the uid parameter in the useredit.php endpoint to access and modify any user profile within the ClipShare installation. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when combined with the password recovery functionality available through recoverpass.php. By leveraging the modified uid parameter to target a specific user account and then using the email parameter to submit a password recovery request, attackers can effectively reset any user's password. This creates a complete compromise of user accounts and potentially the entire system if administrative accounts are targeted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include significant data integrity and confidentiality risks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can modify user profiles, potentially changing user permissions, access rights, or personal information. The ability to reset passwords creates a persistent threat vector that allows attackers to maintain long-term access to compromised accounts. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input sanitization practices that are fundamental to secure application development. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring any prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive user data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7188 should focus on implementing robust input validation and authorization controls throughout the application. The primary fix involves ensuring that the uid parameter in useredit.php is properly validated against authorized user accounts and that administrative functions enforce strict access controls. Implementing proper session management and authentication checks before allowing any administrative modifications is essential. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege, ensuring that administrative functions are only accessible to authorized personnel with appropriate clearance levels. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper error handling and input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authorization flaws in other application components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to administrative functions. The remediation process should include comprehensive code review to identify all similar parameter manipulation vulnerabilities and implementation of proper access control mechanisms that prevent unauthorized modifications to user accounts.