CVE-2009-2960 in CuteFlow
Summary
by MITRE
CuteFlow 2.10.3 and 2.11.0_c does not properly restrict access to pages/edituser.php, which allows remote attackers to modify usernames and passwords via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2960 affects CuteFlow content management systems version 2.10.3 and 2.11.0_c, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of web applications. This issue stems from insufficient authorization checks within the application's permission model, specifically targeting the pages/edituser.php component that handles user account modifications. The flaw enables unauthorized remote attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and directly manipulate user credentials, creating a significant vector for privilege escalation and account takeover attacks.
This vulnerability manifests as a failure in input validation and access restriction controls, aligning with CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization within software systems. The technical implementation appears to lack proper session validation and user role verification before allowing modifications to user account parameters. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing direct HTTP requests to the vulnerable endpoint, bypassing the normal web application workflow that would typically require authenticated access and appropriate user permissions. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insecure direct object references where the application fails to verify that the requesting user has legitimate authorization to modify specific user accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential manipulation, as it provides attackers with potential pathways for broader system compromise. Successful exploitation allows malicious actors to modify any user's username and password, potentially enabling them to assume administrative privileges or gain persistent access to the application. This weakness can be leveraged in conjunction with other attack vectors to establish footholds within network environments, particularly in scenarios where the CuteFlow application serves as a gateway to corporate resources or contains sensitive data. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including the enforcement of proper access controls and authentication checks for all administrative endpoints. The recommended approach involves implementing robust session management with proper user role verification before allowing access to sensitive functions like user account modifications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious direct requests to administrative pages. According to ATT&CK framework category T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, this vulnerability enables adversaries to maintain persistence through credential manipulation, making it a critical target for defensive measures. Regular security audits and input validation reviews should be conducted to prevent similar authorization bypass issues, while also ensuring that all web application components properly validate user permissions before executing sensitive operations.