CVE-2009-4089 in telepark.wiki
Summary
by MITRE
telepark.wiki 2.4.23 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass authorization and (1) delete arbitrary pages via a modified pageID parameter to ajax/deletePage.php or (2) delete arbitrary comments via a modified pageID parameter to ajax/deleteComment.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4089 affects telepark.wiki version 2.4.23 and earlier, representing a critical authorization bypass flaw that enables remote attackers to perform unauthorized administrative actions. This vulnerability resides within the web application's ajax endpoint handling mechanisms, specifically targeting the deletePage.php and deleteComment.php scripts that manage content removal operations. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access control checks within the application's permission system, allowing malicious actors to manipulate pageID parameters and execute destructive operations without proper authentication or authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's failure to validate user permissions before processing deletion requests. When attackers submit modified pageID parameters to the vulnerable endpoints, the system processes these requests without verifying whether the authenticated user possesses the necessary privileges to delete the specified content. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that falls under CWE-285, which addresses insufficient authorization issues in software applications. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and inadequate session management, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to escalate their privileges and perform administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers to completely compromise the integrity and availability of wiki content. Remote attackers can delete arbitrary pages, potentially removing critical documentation, user-generated content, or organizational knowledge base entries that are essential for business operations. Additionally, the ability to delete arbitrary comments undermines the collaborative nature of wiki platforms, enabling attackers to remove valuable discussions, user feedback, or audit trails. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising both confidentiality and integrity, as unauthorized modifications can be made without detection, and availability can be affected through content removal operations.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts usage and T1566 for credential stuffing or privilege escalation. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no local access or prior authentication, making it highly exploitable from any remote location. Security practitioners should consider implementing robust input validation, parameter sanitization, and comprehensive access control mechanisms to prevent such issues. The vulnerability highlights the importance of principle of least privilege implementation and proper session management, as recommended in various cybersecurity frameworks including NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing strict input validation and parameter sanitization for all user-supplied data, particularly within AJAX endpoints that handle administrative functions. The application must enforce robust access control checks before processing any deletion requests, ensuring that only authorized users with appropriate privileges can perform these operations. Regular security code reviews should be conducted to identify similar authorization bypass patterns, and the implementation of web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers. Organizations should also implement proper logging and monitoring of deletion activities to detect unauthorized access attempts and maintain audit trails for forensic analysis. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing comprehensive access control mechanisms in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content and collaborative data management functions.