CVE-2016-10831 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cPanel before 55.9999.141 does not perform as two-factor authentication check when possessing another account (SEC-101).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10831 affects cPanel versions prior to 55.9999.141 and represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security of multi-factor authentication mechanisms. This issue specifically manifests when an authenticated user possesses credentials for another account within the same cPanel environment, creating a scenario where the system fails to enforce proper two-factor authentication checks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate session management and authentication flow validation within the cPanel administrative interface, allowing malicious actors to potentially escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to additional accounts without proper authentication verification. The flaw exists in the underlying authentication logic that should have enforced strict verification procedures when transitioning between accounts, particularly in environments where users might have access to multiple administrative accounts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure in the account switching mechanism within cPanel's authentication framework. When a user attempts to access another account's administrative functions, the system should require re-authentication including two-factor authentication components. However, the flaw allows the system to bypass this requirement, enabling what is known as a session hijacking or privilege escalation attack. The vulnerability specifically impacts the security controls that should enforce mandatory authentication checks during account transitions, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit weak session handling and authentication state management. This represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement, where the system should have validated the user's identity through all required authentication factors before granting access to different account resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple access control breaches, potentially enabling comprehensive account compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain access to multiple customer accounts within the same cPanel environment, especially in shared hosting or reseller scenarios where administrators manage numerous client accounts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where cPanel is used for hosting services, as it could allow unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, email accounts, database credentials, and file system resources. The security implications align with attack patterns documented in the mitre attack framework under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, where adversaries seek to move laterally within compromised environments. This vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of data stored within cPanel-managed hosting environments, potentially exposing thousands of websites and applications to unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of the patched cPanel version 55.9999.141 or later, which addresses the authentication bypass through improved session management and mandatory authentication checks during account transitions. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including regular monitoring of account access logs, enforcement of strict access controls for administrative accounts, and implementation of security information and event management solutions to detect anomalous authentication patterns. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any potential exploitation of this vulnerability and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The remediation process should include verification that all cPanel instances have been updated and that proper access controls are enforced. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and proper authentication mechanisms, aligning with security best practices outlined in nist cybersecurity framework and owasp top ten security risks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as network segmentation, multi-factor authentication enforcement, and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising their hosting infrastructure.