CVE-2009-2117 in phPortal
Summary
by MITRE
uye_paneli.php in phPortal 1.0 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and obtain administrative access by setting the kulladi cookie to a valid username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2117 resides within the phPortal 1.0 content management system, specifically in the uye_paneli.php component. This represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that fundamentally undermines the security model of the application. The issue manifests through improper validation of user credentials and session management mechanisms, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to escalate their privileges without legitimate authentication.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the kulladi cookie parameter, which serves as the primary authentication identifier within the application's session handling framework. When an attacker sets this cookie to any valid username present in the system, the application incorrectly grants administrative privileges to the session, effectively bypassing all standard authentication checks. This flaw stems from a lack of proper session validation and insufficient input sanitization, allowing the application to trust cookie values without verifying their authenticity or origin. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and demonstrates weak session management practices that violate fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the phPortal 1.0 instance. Once authenticated, an attacker can manipulate all system configurations, modify or delete content, manage user accounts, and potentially escalate their access further within the network. This administrative access enables comprehensive system compromise, including the ability to install malicious software, exfiltrate sensitive data, and establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the entire application, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on phPortal for critical business operations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper session management protocols and robust input validation measures. The application must validate all cookie values against legitimate user databases and implement proper session regeneration after authentication. Additionally, the system should employ secure cookie attributes including HttpOnly and Secure flags to prevent client-side manipulation. Organizations should also implement proper access control mechanisms that verify user credentials through multiple factors rather than relying solely on cookie values. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, and represents a classic example of insufficient session management that violates security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks. The remediation process should include comprehensive code review, implementation of proper authentication frameworks, and regular security testing to prevent similar issues in future deployments.