CVE-2013-7379 in tomato
Summary
by MITRE
The admin API in the tomato module before 0.0.6 for Node.js does not properly check the access key when it is set to a string, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via a string in the access-key header that partially matches config.master.api.access_key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7379 resides within the tomato module for Node.js, specifically affecting versions prior to 0.0.6. This issue represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of applications relying on this module for administrative API access. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of access keys when they are provided as string values, creating a pathway for unauthorized remote attackers to gain administrative privileges without proper authentication.
The technical flaw manifests in the admin API implementation where the access key validation mechanism fails to perform complete string matching when the access key is provided as a string in the access-key header. Instead of requiring an exact match against the configured master API access key, the system performs a partial match operation that allows attackers to craft malicious access key values that contain the legitimate access key as a substring. This partial matching behavior creates a security loophole where an attacker can supply an access key that includes the valid key as part of a larger string, thereby circumventing the authentication mechanism entirely.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Node.js applications utilizing the tomato module for administrative functions. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to perform unauthorized administrative actions including but not limited to user management, configuration changes, data manipulation, and potentially system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to gain full administrative access without requiring any prior knowledge of valid credentials, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation attempts.
The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. This weakness specifically represents an inadequate input validation problem where the system fails to properly validate the integrity and authenticity of authentication tokens. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts and T1566.002 which involves phishing with malicious attachments, as attackers could potentially use this bypass to escalate privileges within compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7379 require immediate action to upgrade the tomato module to version 0.0.6 or later where the authentication bypass has been resolved. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control measures including rate limiting, IP whitelisting, and additional authentication layers to reduce the attack surface. The fix typically involves implementing strict string matching rather than partial matching for access key validation, ensuring that only exact matches are accepted for administrative API access. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough security audits of all Node.js applications using this module to verify proper implementation of authentication mechanisms and monitor for any suspicious API access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.