CVE-2009-4808 in PHP Article Publisher
Summary
by MITRE
admin.php in Graugon PHP Article Publisher 1.0 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and obtain administrative access by setting the g_admin cookie to 1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The CVE-2009-4808 vulnerability resides within the Graugon PHP Article Publisher version 1.0, specifically in the admin.php file where a critical authentication bypass flaw exists. This vulnerability represents a classic improper input validation issue that allows remote attackers to escalate privileges without proper authentication credentials. The flaw manifests through a simple cookie manipulation technique where an attacker can set the g_admin cookie value to 1, thereby granting themselves administrative privileges within the application.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication mechanisms in software systems. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate user privileges before granting administrative access, creating a path for unauthorized users to assume administrative roles. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates entirely through cookie manipulation, making it easily exploitable without requiring complex attack vectors or specialized tools. The attacker need only modify a single cookie value to gain full administrative control over the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows complete compromise of the application's administrative functionality. Once an attacker successfully sets the g_admin cookie to 1, they gain access to all administrative features including but not limited to content management, user account modification, system configuration changes, and potentially data exfiltration capabilities. This privilege escalation vulnerability can lead to full system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized modifications to the website's content and structure. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire application since administrative access typically provides unrestricted access to sensitive data and system controls.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is straightforward and remote, making it particularly dangerous in production environments. Attackers can exploit this issue through simple HTTP requests or by crafting malicious web pages that automatically set the cookie when visited. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for unauthorized access. The remediation strategy involves implementing proper session management and privilege validation mechanisms, ensuring that administrative access is verified through proper authentication checks rather than client-side cookie manipulation. Additionally, developers should implement server-side validation of administrative privileges and avoid relying on client-controlled variables for access control decisions, adhering to secure coding practices that prevent such bypass vulnerabilities.