CVE-2024-0522 in RomPager
Summary
by MITRE • 01/15/2024
A vulnerability was found in Allegro RomPager 4.01. It has been classified as problematic. Affected is an unknown function of the file usertable.htm?action=delete of the component HTTP POST Request Handler. The manipulation of the argument username leads to cross-site request forgery. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 4.30 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-250692. NOTE: The vendor explains that this is a very old issue that got fixed 20 years ago but without a public disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2024
This vulnerability resides within Allegro RomPager version 4.01, specifically within the HTTP POST Request Handler component where the usertable.htm?action=delete function processes user requests. The flaw manifests as a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that occurs when the username parameter is manipulated during the deletion process. This represents a critical security weakness that allows unauthorized actors to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates significant risk potential, particularly given that it enables remote exploitation through web-based attack vectors. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that the vulnerability exists in a web interface component that can be accessed over network connections, making it readily exploitable by threat actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and authentication checks within the HTTP POST request handling mechanism. When a user submits a deletion request through the usertable.htm interface, the system fails to properly verify the authenticity of the request origin or validate that the action was genuinely initiated by the legitimate user. This weakness creates a scenario where malicious actors can craft forged requests that appear to originate from legitimate authenticated sessions, thereby bypassing normal security controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the application layer, affecting the web server's ability to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized requests. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it represents a potential pathway for complete account compromise and system manipulation. An attacker could leverage this weakness to delete user accounts, modify permissions, or potentially gain elevated privileges within the system. The remote exploitation capability means that threat actors do not require physical access to the network or direct system interaction to carry out attacks. This vulnerability could enable attackers to perform persistent unauthorized actions against the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data exfiltration. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the RomPager system controls critical network infrastructure or user access permissions.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 4.30, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. This upgrade represents the most effective solution as it resolves the underlying implementation flaws in the HTTP POST request handling component. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as CSRF tokens in web forms, proper request origin validation, and enhanced authentication mechanisms to further protect against similar vulnerabilities. The vendor's explanation that this issue was reportedly fixed 20 years ago but remained undisclosed highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices and avoiding reliance on outdated software components. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their network infrastructure to identify any other potentially vulnerable legacy systems that may share similar characteristics with this known vulnerability. This case demonstrates the critical importance of keeping software components up to date and the potential risks associated with running unpatched systems in production environments.