CVE-2023-3266 in PowerPanel Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE • 08/14/2023
A non-feature complete authentication mechanism exists in the production application allowing an attacker to bypass all authentication checks if LDAP authentication is selected.An unauthenticated attacker can leverage this vulnerability to log in to the CypberPower PowerPanel Enterprise as an administrator by selecting LDAP authentication from a hidden HTML combo box. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability also requires the attacker to know at least one username on the device, but any password will authenticate successfully.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the CyberPower PowerPanel Enterprise application that fundamentally undermines the security posture of the system. The issue stems from a non-feature complete authentication mechanism that fails to properly validate user credentials when LDAP authentication is selected, creating a backdoor that allows unauthenticated attackers to escalate privileges and gain administrative access to the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates through a hidden HTML combo box that is not intended for public use, yet provides a direct path to administrative privileges without proper authentication checks.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a classic case of inadequate input validation and authentication flow control. When an attacker selects LDAP authentication from the hidden combo box, the application fails to perform proper authentication verification, allowing any password to authenticate successfully against any valid username in the system. This creates a scenario where the authentication mechanism becomes completely ineffective, as the system essentially accepts any credentials provided by an attacker who has knowledge of at least one legitimate username. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically affects the authentication module's handling of LDAP authentication requests, bypassing all standard security controls that should normally validate user credentials before granting access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows attackers to gain full administrative control over the CyberPower PowerPanel Enterprise system. Once authenticated, an attacker can modify system configurations, access sensitive power management data, potentially disrupt critical infrastructure operations, and perform unauthorized administrative actions that could affect power distribution systems. The requirement for only one known username significantly reduces the attack surface, as attackers need only discover a single valid user account to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user accounts may be weakly managed or where default accounts exist. This vulnerability directly violates security principle of least privilege and authentication integrity, as it allows unauthorized access to administrative functions without proper authorization.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the application to implement proper authentication checks and eliminate the hidden authentication mechanism. Organizations should disable or remove the hidden HTML combo box that enables this bypass, ensuring that LDAP authentication cannot be selected without proper authentication. The system should enforce mandatory authentication verification regardless of the authentication method selected, implementing proper credential validation mechanisms that require valid credentials before granting access. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all authentication mechanisms to identify similar vulnerabilities and implement proper input validation controls. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication, and represents a clear violation of ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts, as it allows attackers to leverage legitimate user accounts to gain unauthorized administrative access. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to critical power management systems and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized authentication attempts.