CVE-2010-4408 in Archiva
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Archiva 1.0 through 1.0.3, 1.1 through 1.1.4, 1.2 through 1.2.2, and 1.3 through 1.3.1 does not require entry of the administrator s password at the time of modifying a user account, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to gain privileges by leveraging a (1) unattended workstation or (2) cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability, a related issue to CVE-2010-3449.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2019
Apache Archiva versions 1.0 through 1.0.3, 1.1 through 1.1.4, 1.2 through 1.2.2, and 1.3 through 1.3.1 contain a critical authentication bypass vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the security of user account management. This flaw resides in the administrative interface's design where the system fails to enforce password verification when modifying user accounts, creating a significant gap in the authentication process that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically affects the privilege escalation mechanism within the application's user management subsystem, where legitimate administrators can modify user accounts without re-authenticating, thereby weakening the principle of least privilege enforcement.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a missing authentication check during user account modification operations. When an administrator attempts to modify user details such as roles, permissions, or account status, the system does not require the administrator to re-enter their password or provide additional authentication proof. This design flaw creates multiple attack vectors that align with common exploitation patterns documented in cybersecurity frameworks. The vulnerability can be leveraged through two primary attack scenarios: unattended workstation exploitation where an attacker gains physical access to a logged-in administrator session, and cross-site request forgery attacks where malicious web pages trick administrators into performing unauthorized modifications without their knowledge or consent.
This weakness directly corresponds to CWE-306, which identifies "Missing Authentication for Critical Function" as a fundamental security flaw in software design. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in implementing proper access control mechanisms, particularly in scenarios where administrative functions require elevated privileges. The attack surface expands significantly when considering that many organizations maintain administrative sessions that remain active for extended periods, making unattended workstation exploitation particularly dangerous. The issue also intersects with CSRF attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can modify user permissions, create new administrator accounts, or disable security controls within the Archiva repository management system. This creates a persistent backdoor that can be used for data exfiltration, system modification, or further lateral movement within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability's persistence is particularly concerning as it operates at the application layer without requiring additional system compromises or specialized tools, making it accessible to attackers with moderate technical skills.
Organizations using affected Apache Archiva versions should immediately implement mitigation strategies that include strengthening physical security measures for administrative workstations, implementing session management policies, and considering immediate upgrades to patched versions of the software. The recommended approach involves enforcing mandatory re-authentication for all administrative operations, implementing proper CSRF tokens for web forms, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized account modifications. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their Archiva deployments to identify and remediate similar authentication gaps that may exist in other administrative interfaces or management tools within their infrastructure.