CVE-2009-4806 in Digital Interchange Document Library
Summary
by MITRE
admin/save_user.asp in Digital Interchange Document Library 1.0.1 does not require administrative authentication, which allows remote attackers to read or modify the administrator s credentials via unspecified vectors. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-4806 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the Digital Interchange Document Library version 1.0.1. This issue stems from improper access control implementation in the administrative component of the web application, specifically in the admin/save_user.asp file. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass the required administrative authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. According to the vulnerability description, the system fails to properly validate user credentials or session tokens before granting access to administrative operations, creating a significant security gap that could be exploited by malicious actors without prior authorization. The vulnerability exists within the application's administrative interface where user account management functions are exposed to the network without proper authentication checks. This represents a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture and demonstrates poor implementation of access control principles.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software applications. The flaw manifests as an insufficient authentication mechanism where the application does not adequately verify that incoming requests originate from legitimate administrative users. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack methods including direct manipulation of web requests, parameter tampering, or session hijacking techniques. The vulnerability affects the administrative save_user.asp endpoint which is designed to handle user account modifications but fails to enforce proper authentication requirements. This creates a scenario where any remote attacker can potentially access administrative functions and modify user credentials, including those of the administrator themselves. The lack of authentication requirements for administrative functions represents a severe violation of the principle of least privilege, which is a core security concept outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including NIST SP 800-53.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial and potentially catastrophic for organizations using the affected Digital Interchange Document Library. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete administrative control over the document library system, enabling them to modify or delete user accounts, access sensitive documents, and potentially establish persistent access to the environment. The ability to read or modify administrator credentials specifically poses a severe risk as it allows attackers to escalate their privileges and maintain long-term access to the system. This vulnerability could also facilitate further attacks within the network by providing an attacker with administrative credentials that could be used to access other systems or databases. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the network or system, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous. Organizations using this software may face data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential compliance violations if the system contains regulated data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper authentication controls and access management within the application. The primary fix involves adding robust authentication checks to the admin/save_user.asp endpoint to ensure that only properly authenticated administrative users can access these functions. This includes implementing session management controls, enforcing proper credential validation, and ensuring that all administrative operations require valid administrative credentials before execution. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as firewalls and access control lists to limit access to administrative interfaces and reduce the attack surface. The implementation of strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts should be considered as part of a comprehensive security strategy. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities within the application. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would be categorized under T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation techniques. Regular patching and updating of the Digital Interchange Document Library software is essential to address this and similar vulnerabilities. System administrators should also implement monitoring and logging controls to detect unauthorized access attempts to administrative functions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation, which are fundamental security requirements outlined in various security standards including ISO 27001 and OWASP Top Ten. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.