CVE-2009-1550 in ABC Advertise
Summary
by MITRE
Zakkis Technology ABC Advertise 1.0 does not properly restrict access to admin.inc.php, which allows remote attackers to obtain the administrator login name and password via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1550 affects Zakkis Technology ABC Advertise version 1.0, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of the affected web application. This issue stems from improper authorization mechanisms within the application's codebase, specifically in how it handles administrative components. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 Access Control, which encompasses weaknesses that allow unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges or access restricted resources. The flaw manifests when the application fails to enforce proper authentication checks before allowing access to sensitive administrative files, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a direct request attack vector where remote adversaries can access the admin.inc.php file without proper authentication. This file likely contains critical administrative credentials or configuration data that should only be accessible to authorized personnel. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and access restriction checks, allowing attackers to bypass the normal authentication flow by directly requesting the administrative component. According to ATT&CK framework, this corresponds to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Impersonation techniques, as attackers can effectively impersonate administrators through credential exposure. The weakness creates a path for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to administrative functions, potentially enabling full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with a direct route to administrative control of the web application. Once an attacker obtains the administrator login credentials, they can manipulate all aspects of the application, including user accounts, content management, and system configurations. The exposure of administrative credentials through a direct file access vulnerability represents a significant risk to data integrity and confidentiality, as attackers can modify or delete content, add malicious users, or extract sensitive information from the system. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on hardcoded credentials or weak authentication mechanisms, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1550 should focus on implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms within the affected application. Organizations should immediately restrict direct access to administrative files through web server configuration, ensuring that sensitive components like admin.inc.php are not directly accessible via web requests. The application should enforce proper authentication checks before any administrative functions are executed, implementing robust session management and access control lists. Security measures should include input validation, proper file permissions, and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious direct file access attempts. According to NIST SP 800-53 security controls, this vulnerability highlights the need for access control mechanisms and audit logging to detect unauthorized access attempts. Regular patch management and security updates should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions of the application.