CVE-2015-8267 in AD Self Password Reset
Summary
by MITRE
The PasswordReset.Controllers.ResetController.ChangePasswordIndex method in PasswordReset.dll in Dovestones AD Self Password Reset before 3.0.4.0 allows remote attackers to reset arbitrary passwords via a crafted request with a valid username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8267 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the Dovestones AD Self Password Reset software version 3.0.3.0 and earlier. This issue resides within the PasswordReset.Controllers.ResetController.ChangePasswordIndex method of the PasswordReset.dll component, which forms the core of the password reset functionality. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and authentication checks that allow malicious actors to manipulate the password reset process by crafting specially crafted requests containing valid usernames. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and authentication integrity, creating a pathway for unauthorized password changes across arbitrary user accounts within the Active Directory environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a fundamental flaw in the request processing logic where the system fails to properly validate whether the requesting entity has legitimate authorization to reset the specified user's password. Attackers can leverage this weakness by sending crafted HTTP requests that include a valid username parameter, bypassing the normal authentication flow that should verify the user's identity or authorization level before permitting password modifications. This weakness aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and specifically manifests as an authentication bypass vulnerability that undermines the security controls designed to protect user credentials. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where Active Directory services are accessible.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8267 extends beyond simple password compromise, potentially enabling attackers to gain persistent access to critical enterprise resources and sensitive data. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can reset passwords for any valid user account within the directory service, effectively creating backdoor access points that can be used for lateral movement, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration. This vulnerability directly maps to several MITRE ATT&CK techniques including T1078 Valid Accounts for maintaining persistence, T1566 Phishing for initial access, and T1550 Use of Valid Accounts for credential manipulation. The consequences include unauthorized access to corporate email systems, file servers, database resources, and other applications that rely on Active Directory authentication, potentially leading to significant data breaches and operational disruption.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address the security gap. The primary remediation involves upgrading to Dovestones AD Self Password Reset version 3.0.4.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and authentication checks within the affected method. Network administrators should also implement additional controls such as restricting network access to the password reset service, implementing strict firewall rules, and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns. The solution aligns with NIST SP 800-53 security controls that emphasize authentication management and access control mechanisms. Additional mitigations include implementing multi-factor authentication for privileged accounts, establishing robust logging and monitoring of password reset activities, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious password reset request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.