CVE-2012-1256 in EasyVista
Summary
by MITRE
The single sign-on (SSO) implementation in EasyVista before 2010.1.1.89 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via a modified url_account parameter, in conjunction with a valid login name in the SSPI_HEADER parameter, to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1256 resides within the single sign-on implementation of EasyVista software prior to version 2010.1.1.89. This authentication flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of the system's access control mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication flow when processing requests through the index.php endpoint, where the application fails to properly validate user credentials and session parameters. The flaw enables unauthorized access by allowing attackers to manipulate the url_account parameter in the request URL, effectively circumventing the normal authentication process that should validate user identity and permissions.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves exploiting a parameter manipulation attack vector where remote attackers can construct malicious URLs with modified url_account values. When combined with a valid login name present in the SSPI_HEADER parameter, this manipulation creates a condition where the system accepts the forged authentication request as legitimate. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient parameter sanitization within the authentication processing pipeline. The system's trust model appears to be compromised, as it relies on the presence of a valid SSPI_HEADER value without proper verification of the associated url_account parameter. This represents a classic case of insecure parameter handling that allows privilege escalation through parameter tampering techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1256 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized administrative actions. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive business information, manipulate system configurations, and potentially establish persistent access to the EasyVista environment. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the network or system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such systems are often exposed to external networks. The vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically CWE-284 which addresses improper access control mechanisms. Additionally, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 legitimate credentials, as it allows adversaries to leverage valid login information to bypass authentication controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected EasyVista software to version 2010.1.1.89 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement robust input validation and parameter sanitization measures within their authentication flows to prevent parameter manipulation attacks. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the vulnerable index.php endpoint to unauthorized users. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns and parameter modifications. The implementation of proper session management and authentication token validation would prevent the exploitation of the SSPI_HEADER parameter manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious URL parameter variations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper authentication flow design and highlights the necessity of comprehensive security testing, particularly around authentication and session management components, as recommended by OWASP Top 10 security guidelines.