CVE-2013-6953 in BlogEngine.NET
Summary
by MITRE
BlogEngine.NET 2.8.0.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to read usernames and password hashes via a request for the sioc.axd file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6953 affects BlogEngine.NET versions 2.8.0.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw that exposes user authentication credentials to remote attackers. This vulnerability resides within the sioc.axd file handling mechanism, which is part of the blogging platform's infrastructure designed for syndication and data exchange operations. The flaw represents a significant weakness in the application's access control and authentication mechanisms, potentially compromising the entire user base of the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient authorization checks within the sioc.axd file processing functionality. When remote attackers submit specific requests to this endpoint, the system fails to properly verify the requester's credentials or permissions before serving user account information. This misconfiguration allows unauthorized access to the password hash database, effectively bypassing the normal authentication flow that should protect sensitive user information. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring elevated privileges or specialized tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, creating cascading security risks for organizations using affected BlogEngine.NET installations. Attackers who successfully exploit this flaw can obtain username and password hash combinations, enabling them to perform credential stuffing attacks across other platforms where users may have reused passwords. The exposure of authentication data undermines the fundamental security model of the blogging platform, potentially allowing unauthorized access to administrative functions, content modification, and user data compromise. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage when such vulnerabilities are exploited in production environments.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering or direct exploitation. The flaw demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and inadequate security controls within the application's authentication subsystem. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to BlogEngine.NET version 2.8.1.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the access control bypass. Additional protective measures include implementing network-level restrictions on access to the sioc.axd endpoint, deploying web application firewalls, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all web applications to identify similar access control vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be maintained to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of the web infrastructure.