CVE-2010-1670 in Mahara
Summary
by MITRE
Mahara before 1.0.15, 1.1.x before 1.1.9, and 1.2.x before 1.2.5 has improper configuration options for authentication plugins associated with logins that use the single sign-on (SSO) functionality, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via an empty password. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-1670 affects the Mahara learning management system and represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security of single sign-on implementations. This issue impacts multiple version ranges including Mahara 1.0.14 and earlier, 1.1.8 and earlier, and 1.2.4 and earlier versions, making it a widespread concern for organizations relying on these older releases. The flaw specifically targets the configuration options for authentication plugins, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system's authentication mechanisms through the SSO functionality. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles by allowing unauthorized access when an empty password is provided during the authentication process, effectively creating a backdoor that bypasses normal authentication procedures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication plugin configurations within Mahara's SSO framework. When users attempt to authenticate through SSO, the system fails to properly validate the credentials provided, particularly when an empty password is submitted. This misconfiguration allows attackers to exploit the authentication flow by simply providing an empty password value, which the system accepts as valid authentication. The flaw resides in the authentication plugin configuration options that do not adequately enforce credential validation, creating a scenario where the system's security controls are bypassed without proper verification. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication, and more specifically aligns with CWE-305 which covers authentication bypass through use of empty passwords. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and authentication flow control.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1670 is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations using affected Mahara versions, as it provides remote attackers with unauthorized access to educational platforms containing sensitive student data, course materials, and institutional information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain full administrative or user-level access to the learning management system without proper authorization, potentially leading to data breaches, content manipulation, and unauthorized modifications to educational resources. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers regardless of their geographical location or network proximity to the target system. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues and potential legal consequences if sensitive educational data is compromised through this authentication bypass.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2010-1670 requires immediate action to upgrade affected Mahara installations to patched versions, specifically versions 1.0.15, 1.1.9, and 1.2.5 or later. System administrators should also review and properly configure authentication plugin settings to ensure that empty password validation is enforced and that SSO implementations are properly secured. Security hardening measures should include implementing additional authentication controls, monitoring for unusual authentication patterns, and conducting thorough security audits of authentication configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, while ensuring that all authentication mechanisms are properly validated. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication flow design and configuration management, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar configuration weaknesses in other systems, as this type of authentication bypass vulnerability often indicates broader security misconfigurations that may affect other components of the IT infrastructure.