CVE-2018-16627 in Kirby
Summary
by MITRE
panel/login in Kirby v2.5.12 allows Host header injection via the "forget password" feature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16627 affects Kirby CMS version 2.5.12 and specifically targets the panel login functionality through the "forget password" feature. This issue represents a critical security flaw that enables attackers to manipulate HTTP headers during the password recovery process, potentially leading to unauthorized access or session hijacking. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of the Host header within the password reset mechanism, creating an avenue for header injection attacks that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw manifests when the password recovery feature processes user requests without adequately sanitizing or validating the Host header parameter. This allows an attacker to inject malicious headers into the HTTP request, potentially redirecting password reset emails to attacker-controlled addresses or manipulating the authentication flow. The vulnerability operates at the application level and specifically affects the email notification system that is triggered during password reset requests. The flaw can be categorized under CWE-113, which addresses "Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences in HTTP Headers" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for "Phishing via Social Engineering" and T1566.002 for "Phishing via Email" as the attack vector can be leveraged to manipulate email delivery and user authentication flows.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can enable attackers to intercept password reset emails, potentially gain unauthorized access to user accounts, or manipulate the authentication process to redirect legitimate users to malicious sites. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform account takeover attempts, especially when combined with other techniques such as session hijacking or credential stuffing. The vulnerability affects all users who utilize the password recovery feature, making it a widespread concern for organizations using Kirby CMS v2.5.12. The impact extends beyond individual account compromise to potentially enable broader system infiltration, particularly in environments where users may reuse credentials across multiple services.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Kirby CMS version 2.5.13 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this Host header injection vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all HTTP headers, particularly those used in authentication and email notification flows, is crucial for preventing similar issues. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and header filtering rules can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security audits of web applications should include thorough testing of authentication mechanisms and email notification systems to identify potential header injection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper header validation as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, particularly focusing on preventing HTTP response splitting and header manipulation attacks that could compromise user authentication processes.