CVE-2009-1619 in FileStream
Summary
by MITRE
Teraway FileStream 1.0 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrative access by setting the twFSadmin cookie to 1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1619 affects Teraway FileStream version 1.0, a file streaming solution that enables remote file access and management capabilities. This authentication bypass flaw represents a critical security weakness that directly compromises the integrity of the system's access control mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically resides in how the application handles administrative privileges through a client-side cookie mechanism, creating an exploitable path for unauthorized users to escalate their privileges without proper authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's insecure handling of the twFSadmin cookie parameter. When an attacker sets this cookie value to 1, the system incorrectly interprets this as valid administrative authorization, bypassing all standard authentication checks and access controls. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference or improper access control, where the application relies on client-side data that can be manipulated to gain elevated privileges. The flaw demonstrates poor security design principles where server-side validation is insufficient to verify the legitimacy of administrative claims made through client-side cookies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the FileStream 1.0 system. This includes the ability to modify or delete files, alter system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, making it particularly dangerous for environments where file streaming and remote access are critical components. Organizations using this software face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations depending on the nature of the data being handled.
The flaw aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software applications, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to the privilege escalation techniques found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation category, specifically targeting the use of insecure cookie handling for administrative access. The vulnerability also reflects poor input validation practices and inadequate server-side security controls that should be implemented to prevent such bypass scenarios. Organizations should immediately implement patches or workarounds to address this issue, including disabling cookie-based administrative access, implementing proper server-side validation, and conducting comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation approach should focus on eliminating client-side trust assumptions and ensuring all administrative actions require proper authentication and authorization verification before execution.