CVE-2011-1035 in PivotX
Summary
by MITRE
The password reset in PivotX before 2.2.4 allows remote attackers to modify the passwords of arbitrary users via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1035 represents a critical security flaw in PivotX content management systems prior to version 2.2.4. This issue falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and weak authentication mechanisms, as outlined in CWE-639 and CWE-287 respectively. The vulnerability specifically targets the password reset functionality of the application, which is designed to allow users to recover access to their accounts when they forget their passwords. However, the implementation contains a fundamental flaw that permits malicious actors to exploit this feature for unauthorized password modifications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authentication checks within the password reset process. Attackers can leverage unspecified vectors to manipulate the password reset mechanism and gain the ability to change passwords for any user account within the system. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability that directly compromises the authentication system. The flaw likely exists in how the application handles user identifiers during the password reset process, potentially allowing attackers to substitute one user identifier for another without proper authorization checks. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited remotely without requiring prior authentication or access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial and far-reaching across multiple security domains. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to any user account within the PivotX system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can result in data breaches, unauthorized data modification, and complete loss of system integrity. The attack surface extends beyond individual user accounts to potentially compromise the entire application infrastructure. From an enterprise security perspective, this vulnerability creates a pathway for persistent threats to establish long-term access and maintain control over the compromised system. The impact is particularly severe given that password reset functionality is often considered a trusted component of the security architecture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most critical action is to upgrade to PivotX version 2.2.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the password reset functionality. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including rate limiting on password reset requests, enhanced session management, and proper input validation for all user identifiers. The implementation should follow established security frameworks such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in password reset activities, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure proper authorization checks are in place. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms to add additional layers of security beyond simple password authentication. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper authentication design and the need for thorough security testing of all application components, particularly those handling sensitive user account operations.