CVE-2018-11209 in Z-BlogPHP
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** An issue was discovered in Z-BlogPHP 2.0.0. zb_system/cmd.php?act=verify relies on MD5 for the password parameter, which might make it easier for attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a dictionary or rainbow-table attack. NOTE: the vendor declined to accept this as a valid issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11209 pertains to Z-BlogPHP version 2.0.0 where the authentication mechanism in zb_system/cmd.php?act=verify employs MD5 hashing for password validation. This represents a significant security weakness that directly impacts the system's ability to protect user accounts from unauthorized access attempts. The implementation relies on a cryptographic hash function that has been widely criticized for its vulnerability to collision attacks and preimage attacks, making it susceptible to various exploitation techniques.
This flaw operates at the core authentication layer of the blogging platform, where the verify endpoint processes password parameters through MD5 hashing before comparison against stored credentials. The use of MD5 in this context creates a pathway for attackers to bypass intended access controls through dictionary attacks or rainbow table methodologies. The vulnerability specifically targets the password verification mechanism, which is fundamental to any authentication system and directly undermines the security posture of the entire platform. This weakness falls under the category of cryptographic weakness as defined by CWE-327, which addresses the use of insecure cryptographic algorithms in authentication systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially the entire blogging platform. Attackers can leverage precomputed hash tables or generate wordlists to reverse engineer passwords, particularly when users employ weak or commonly used passwords. This creates a cascading security risk where compromised accounts can lead to further system exploitation, data breaches, and potential unauthorized content modification. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in password handling that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003, which covers credential dumping and password cracking through various attack vectors.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning given that MD5 has been deprecated for cryptographic purposes since 2005 due to its susceptibility to collision attacks. Modern cryptographic standards recommend the use of stronger hash functions such as SHA-256 or bcrypt for password storage, which provide significantly better resistance against the types of attacks this vulnerability enables. The vendor's decision to not accept this as a valid issue reflects a concerning trend in some open source projects where security concerns are dismissed without proper evaluation, potentially leaving users exposed to exploitation. Organizations using this version of Z-BlogPHP should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to a patched version, implementing additional authentication layers, or disabling the vulnerable endpoint entirely. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security auditing and the need for robust password validation mechanisms that comply with current industry standards and best practices for authentication security.