CVE-2016-10791 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cPanel before 60.0.15 does not ensure that system accounts lack a valid password, so that logins are impossible (CPANEL-9559).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10791 affects cPanel versions prior to 60.0.15 and represents a critical authentication flaw that undermines the security posture of web hosting environments. This issue stems from inadequate validation of system account credentials within the cPanel administrative interface, creating a scenario where user accounts may be created or modified without proper password enforcement mechanisms. The vulnerability was classified as a weakness in credential management and authentication controls, directly impacting the integrity of the hosting platform's access control mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests when system accounts are processed within cPanel's user management framework, failing to validate whether these accounts possess valid passwords before granting access privileges. This oversight allows for the creation of accounts that cannot be authenticated through normal login procedures, yet still exist within the system's user database. The root cause lies in the absence of proper input validation and credential verification routines within the account creation and modification workflows. This weakness creates a potential attack vector where malicious actors could exploit the inconsistent authentication state to gain unauthorized access or disrupt legitimate user operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication failures, potentially enabling privilege escalation scenarios and undermining the overall security architecture of hosting environments. When system accounts lack valid passwords, legitimate administrators may encounter unexpected login failures, while attackers could exploit the inconsistent state to manipulate account permissions or create unauthorized access points. This vulnerability particularly affects shared hosting environments where multiple users rely on cPanel for account management, creating widespread potential for service disruption and security compromise.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures by upgrading to cPanel version 60.0.15 or later, which includes the necessary patches to enforce proper password validation for system accounts. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of existing user accounts to identify any accounts that may have been created with invalid password states. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns and account modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-257, which addresses the storage of passwords in a reversible format, and may contribute to ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation. Regular security assessments and patch management procedures should be strengthened to prevent similar issues in other hosting platform components and ensure comprehensive protection against authentication-related threats.