CVE-2009-1504 in Absolute Control Panel Xe
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute Form Processor XE 1.5 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrative access by setting the xlaAFPadmin cookie to "lvl=1&userid=1."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1504 affects the Absolute Form Processor XE 1.5 web application, presenting a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables remote attackers to escalate privileges and gain administrative control. This vulnerability resides in the application's cookie-based authentication mechanism, specifically within how the system validates administrative privileges through the xlaAFPadmin cookie parameter. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the cookie value to include level and user identifier parameters that grant elevated access rights.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and privilege checking within the application's authentication subsystem. When an attacker sets the xlaAFPadmin cookie to the specific value "lvl=1&userid=1", the system incorrectly interprets this manipulated data as legitimate administrative credentials without proper verification. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference vulnerability where the application fails to validate the integrity and authorization status of cookie values before granting access rights. The flaw operates at the application logic level, specifically within the session management and privilege escalation components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected system. Once authenticated with administrative privileges, an attacker can perform any action within the application's functionality including but not limited to modifying user accounts, accessing sensitive data, altering system configurations, and potentially using the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The remote nature of this vulnerability means attackers can exploit it from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. The flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security model where cookie-based authentication is not properly secured against manipulation. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation for all cookie parameters, proper session management with secure cookie attributes, and regular security testing of authentication mechanisms. The recommended remediation involves strengthening the cookie validation logic to ensure that privilege levels cannot be arbitrarily set through manipulation of cookie values, implementing proper access controls, and conducting thorough security reviews of all authentication and authorization components within the application.