CVE-2016-6342 in elog
Summary
by MITRE
elog 3.1.1 allows remote attackers to post data as any username in the logbook.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6342 affects elog version 3.1.1, a web-based logbook application that enables users to record and manage events. This security flaw represents a critical authentication bypass issue that allows remote attackers to submit log entries using arbitrary usernames, effectively circumventing the application's intended user identification mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper user session management within the logbook submission process.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the application fails to properly validate the username parameter during log entry creation. Attackers can manipulate the submission process by crafting malicious HTTP requests that include forged username values in the logbook data. This weakness enables unauthorized individuals to post content as any existing user account within the system, potentially including administrators or other privileged users. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within authentication mechanisms, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts, as attackers can leverage this flaw to impersonate legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it compromises the integrity and authenticity of the logbook entries. An attacker could post false information, create misleading audit trails, or potentially disrupt the system's logging functionality. The ability to post as any username also undermines the application's access control policies and could facilitate further attacks such as social engineering campaigns or information disclosure through impersonation. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where logbook entries serve as audit trails for security monitoring or compliance purposes, as it allows attackers to manipulate these critical records.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6342 should focus on implementing proper input validation and authentication controls within the logbook submission process. Organizations should ensure that the application validates all user-provided data against a whitelist of authorized usernames and implements proper session management to prevent unauthorized impersonation. The fix should include server-side validation that verifies the authenticated user's permissions before allowing log entry creation, and should enforce that only legitimate users can submit entries under their own credentials. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and logging mechanisms can help detect and prevent unauthorized use of this vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and proper authentication design principles as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines.