CVE-2009-4945 in Acollab
Summary
by MITRE
AdPeeps 8.5d1 has a default password of admin for the admin account, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via requests to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4945 affects AdPeeps version 8.5d1 and represents a critical security flaw stemming from weak authentication mechanisms. This issue arises from the implementation of a hardcoded default password for the administrative account, specifically using "admin" as both the username and password. The vulnerability exists within the web application's authentication system and provides an easily exploitable path for unauthorized access to the administrative interface.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's failure to properly secure administrative credentials through the use of strong, unique passwords. When the application initializes or installs, it defaults to using "admin" as the password for the administrative account, creating a predictable and well-known credential that attackers can readily exploit. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to gain administrative privileges without requiring any additional authentication factors or complex exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete system compromise. Once an attacker successfully authenticates using the default credentials, they gain full administrative control over the AdPeeps application, which can include modifying configuration settings, adding or removing users, accessing sensitive data, and potentially using the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The attack vector through requests to index.php indicates that the vulnerability can be exploited via simple web-based requests without requiring special tools or complex attack chains.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software applications, and represents a classic example of poor security hardening practices. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw maps directly to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access tactics, specifically targeting the use of default credentials as an initial access method. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and proper access control implementation, as the application does not enforce strong authentication mechanisms during installation or operation.
Organizations utilizing AdPeeps 8.5d1 should immediately implement remediation measures including changing the default administrative password to a strong, unique credential, disabling or removing default accounts, and implementing proper access controls. Additional mitigations should include network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, implementing web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious authentication attempts, and conducting regular security audits to identify other hardcoded credentials or weak authentication mechanisms within the system. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper security configuration management and the necessity of implementing robust authentication controls from the initial deployment phase of any web application.