CVE-2016-9479 in b2evolution
Summary
by MITRE
The "lost password" functionality in b2evolution before 6.7.9 allows remote attackers to reset arbitrary user passwords via a crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9479 affects the b2evolution content management system prior to version 6.7.9, specifically targeting the password reset mechanism. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's user authentication system that could be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The issue stems from insufficient validation and authentication checks within the lost password functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the password recovery process and potentially compromise multiple user accounts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of password reset requests within the b2evolution application. Attackers can craft specially formatted requests that bypass normal authentication controls, allowing them to reset passwords for any user account within the system without proper authorization. This weakness essentially eliminates the security controls that should normally verify the legitimacy of password reset requests, making the functionality susceptible to abuse. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring any prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application is publicly accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it directly compromises the integrity of the user authentication system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can reset passwords for arbitrary users, potentially gaining full access to their accounts and the associated data and privileges. This could lead to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, as well as potential escalation to administrative privileges if the targeted accounts have elevated permissions. The vulnerability also creates a persistent security risk since it allows attackers to maintain access to compromised accounts over extended periods, potentially going undetected for long durations.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) and improper access control issues. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and authentication mechanisms that should be implemented according to security best practices outlined in frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten. The attack vector follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1531, which involves establishing persistence through account access and credential compromise. Organizations using affected versions of b2evolution should implement immediate mitigations including updating to version 6.7.9 or later, implementing additional authentication controls for password reset functionality, and monitoring for suspicious password reset activities.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of the b2evolution application to version 6.7.9 or higher, which includes proper validation of password reset requests and implementation of appropriate access controls. Security administrators should also consider implementing additional protective measures such as rate limiting for password reset requests, enhanced logging of authentication activities, and verification mechanisms that ensure password reset requests originate from legitimate user sessions. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their authentication systems and review similar vulnerabilities in other applications that may share comparable password reset implementations to prevent similar issues from occurring in their broader technology ecosystem.