CVE-2012-2770 in Authen::ExternalAuth
Summary
by MITRE
The Authen::ExternalAuth extension before 0.11 for Best Practical Solutions RT allows remote attackers to obtain a logged-in session via unspecified vectors related to the "URL of a RSS feed of the user."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The AuthenExternalAuth extension for Best Practical Solutions RT prior to version 011 contains a significant security vulnerability that enables remote attackers to obtain authenticated sessions through manipulated RSS feed URLs. This vulnerability falls under the category of authentication bypass or session hijacking, where an attacker can exploit improper validation of user-provided input to gain unauthorized access to the system. The flaw specifically relates to how the extension handles the URL parameter associated with RSS feed information, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate session establishment processes. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the authentication mechanism, potentially allowing unauthorized users to assume legitimate user identities without proper credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the extension's handling of RSS feed URLs. When the system processes user-provided RSS feed URLs, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that can manipulate the authentication flow. This type of vulnerability is classified as a weakness in input validation and can be categorized under CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation. The attack vector likely involves manipulation of the RSS feed URL parameter to trigger unintended behavior in the session management system, potentially allowing attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures or inject malicious session tokens.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it directly compromises the integrity of the authentication system within Best Practical Solutions RT. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, and unauthorized system modifications. The vulnerability affects the entire RT platform's security posture since it allows remote exploitation without requiring prior authentication. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where RT is used for ticket management, issue tracking, or other critical business processes that require proper access controls. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet, making it a significant risk to organizations relying on this authentication extension.
Organizations using Best Practical Solutions RT with the vulnerable AuthenExternalAuth extension should immediately implement mitigations to address this security gap. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to version 011 or later of the extension, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement network-level controls such as firewalls and access controls to limit exposure to this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for suspicious RSS feed URL patterns and implementing proper session management practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation, specifically targeting the authentication process. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other authentication mechanisms within their systems.