CVE-2018-18316 in emlog
Summary
by MITRE
emlog v6.0.0 has CSRF via the admin/user.php?action=new URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18316 affects emlog version 6.0.0 and represents a cross-site request forgery flaw that allows attackers to perform unauthorized actions within the administrative interface. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the admin/user.php?action=new URI, which is used for creating new user accounts within the emlog administration panel. The flaw exists because the application fails to implement proper anti-forgery tokens or validation mechanisms when processing requests to create new user accounts through the administrative interface.
This CSRF vulnerability falls under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The vulnerability enables attackers to trick authenticated administrators into executing unintended actions without their knowledge or consent. When an administrator visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link, the attacker can leverage the existing session to create new user accounts within the emlog system, potentially establishing backdoor access or escalating privileges within the application. The attack vector exploits the trust relationship between the web application and the authenticated user, allowing unauthorized modifications to the system's user database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with a means to compromise the administrative integrity of emlog installations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can create new administrator accounts with full privileges, effectively gaining complete control over the web application and potentially the underlying server if the application has sufficient permissions. This could lead to data exfiltration, defacement, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the administrative level, meaning that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious page, making it particularly effective for social engineering campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this CSRF vulnerability should include implementing proper anti-forgery token mechanisms for all administrative actions, particularly those involving user account creation or modification. The emlog application should generate unique, unpredictable tokens for each administrative session and validate these tokens on every request to prevent unauthorized actions. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege for administrative functions and ensuring that all administrative endpoints require proper authentication and authorization checks can significantly reduce the risk. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and other defensive measures to further protect against CSRF attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1548 which covers abuse of privileges, demonstrating how CSRF attacks can lead to persistent access and privilege escalation within compromised systems.