CVE-2019-13477 in CentOS Web Panel
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
In CentOS-WebPanel.com (aka CWP) CentOS Web Panel 0.9.8.837, CSRF in the forgot password function allows an attacker to change the password for the root account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13477 resides within the CentOS Web Panel (CWP) version 0.9.8.837, specifically targeting the forgot password functionality. This critical security flaw represents a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that enables unauthorized attackers to exploit the password reset mechanism and gain administrative control over the root account. The issue stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF token validation within the password recovery process, creating a significant attack surface that could compromise the entire system. The vulnerability affects the widely used CentOS Web Panel which serves as a web-based control panel for managing CentOS servers, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to server infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the forgot password function, where attackers can craft malicious requests that bypass the intended security controls. The flaw allows an attacker to submit a password reset request for the root account without proper authentication or token verification. This represents a classic CSRF attack pattern where the victim's browser automatically submits requests to the vulnerable application without their knowledge or consent. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the root account, which possesses the highest level of privileges within the system, potentially enabling full system compromise and persistent access. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected server. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can modify system configurations, install malicious software, access sensitive data, and establish backdoors for continued access. The compromised root account essentially grants attackers the ability to manipulate the entire server environment, including user accounts, system files, and network configurations. This vulnerability also poses significant risk to organizations relying on CWP for server management, as it could lead to data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations. The attack vector typically involves social engineering techniques where users are tricked into visiting malicious websites or clicking on compromised links that automatically submit the forged password reset requests.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-13477 should focus on implementing robust anti-CSRF protection mechanisms within the affected application. The most effective approach involves deploying proper CSRF token validation throughout the password reset functionality, ensuring that each request contains a unique, unpredictable token that is verified against the user's session. Organizations should also implement rate limiting and additional authentication controls to prevent automated exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, as the vendor likely released fixes for this specific vulnerability. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious authentication patterns and unauthorized password changes. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing techniques, highlighting the need for comprehensive security awareness training and improved application security practices to prevent such attacks from succeeding.