CVE-2013-2183 in HTTP Daemon
Summary
by MITRE
Monkey HTTP Daemon has local security bypass
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2024
The Monkey HTTP Daemon vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2183 represents a critical local security bypass flaw that undermines the integrity of the web server's authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects the Monkey HTTP Daemon version 1.4.0 and earlier releases, creating a pathway for unauthorized local users to circumvent access controls and potentially gain elevated privileges within the system. The flaw resides in how the daemon handles local authentication checks, allowing malicious actors with local system access to exploit the security boundaries that should protect sensitive resources and administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of local security contexts within the Monkey HTTP Daemon's access control framework. When local users attempt to interact with protected resources or administrative interfaces, the daemon fails to properly enforce authentication boundaries, creating a condition where unauthorized access becomes possible. This bypass occurs at the application level where the daemon should maintain strict separation between authenticated and unauthenticated sessions, but instead allows local users to manipulate session states or access control mechanisms through carefully crafted requests that exploit the flawed validation logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential privilege escalation and data compromise scenarios. Local attackers who exploit this vulnerability can gain access to administrative functions that control web server configurations, user management, and potentially sensitive system information. The implications are particularly severe because the vulnerability affects the core authentication mechanisms that protect critical system resources, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate their privileges within the affected environment. This security bypass can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2183 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Monkey HTTP Daemon installations to version 1.4.1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized local access attempts and establish strict access control policies that limit local user privileges to the minimum necessary for their operational requirements. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough audits of all local user accounts and ensure that proper privilege separation exists between different system functions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to bypass security checks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and local persistence methods that attackers can leverage to maintain access within compromised systems. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and additional host-based security controls to reduce the attack surface and limit potential exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.