CVE-2024-0787 in phpipam
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2024
phpIPAM version 1.5.1 contains a vulnerability where an attacker can bypass the IP block mechanism to brute force passwords for users by using the 'X-Forwarded-For' header. The issue lies in the 'get_user_ip()' function in 'class.Common.php' at lines 1044 and 1045, where the presence of the 'X-Forwarded-For' header is checked and used instead of 'REMOTE_ADDR'. This vulnerability allows attackers to perform brute force attacks on user accounts, including the admin account. The issue is fixed in version 1.7.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2024-0787 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within phpIPAM version 1.5.1 that fundamentally undermines the application's security controls. This issue stems from improper handling of client IP address determination within the application's core authentication logic, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent built-in protection mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the IP block mechanism designed to prevent brute force attacks, allowing attackers to effectively bypass rate limiting and account lockout features that should protect user credentials from automated guessing attempts. The flaw exists in the class.Common.php file where the get_user_ip() function fails to properly validate or sanitize the X-Forwarded-For header, which is commonly used by reverse proxies and load balancers to communicate the original client IP address. This oversight creates a significant security gap because the application incorrectly prioritizes the X-Forwarded-For header over the standard REMOTE_ADDR variable, which would normally contain the direct connection IP from the client. When an attacker controls or can manipulate the X-Forwarded-For header, they can effectively mask their true IP address and repeatedly attempt authentication without triggering the intended IP-based rate limiting measures that would normally protect against brute force attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and CWE-352, which covers cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities. The flaw operates as an authentication bypass mechanism that allows attackers to conduct credential stuffing and password brute force attacks against user accounts including administrative privileges. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple authentication failures because it compromises the application's ability to enforce security policies based on IP address monitoring, effectively neutralizing defenses that would normally protect against automated attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to systematically test multiple password combinations against user accounts without the application's built-in protections triggering, making it particularly dangerous for environments where administrative access is critical. The specific lines 1044 and 1045 in the class.Common.php file contain the problematic logic where the application checks for the presence of the X-Forwarded-For header and uses it without proper validation, creating a trust relationship with potentially malicious input. This design flaw demonstrates a lack of proper input validation and sanitization, which are fundamental security practices that should prevent untrusted headers from overriding core security mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0787 is substantial as it enables attackers to conduct prolonged and undetected brute force campaigns against user accounts within the phpIPAM system. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on phpIPAM for network infrastructure management, where administrative access could provide attackers with significant control over network resources and potentially lead to broader system compromise. The ability to bypass IP-based rate limiting means that attackers can perform unlimited authentication attempts without triggering the application's built-in protections, making it easier to discover valid credentials through automated tools. The vulnerability is especially concerning because it affects the admin account, which typically has the highest privileges within the system, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over the network management infrastructure. Organizations using phpIPAM version 1.5.1 are at risk of credential theft, unauthorized access to network configurations, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that many web applications use X-Forwarded-For headers in legitimate scenarios, making this vulnerability particularly insidious as it can be exploited in environments where the header is legitimately used by reverse proxies and load balancers.
The recommended mitigation for CVE-2024-0787 involves immediate upgrade to phpIPAM version 1.7.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the flawed IP address determination logic. Organizations should also implement additional network-level protections including firewall rules that restrict access to authentication endpoints, implement multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and deploy intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unusual authentication patterns. Security teams should review their current network configurations to ensure that X-Forwarded-For headers are properly validated and that only trusted proxies can inject these headers into requests. Additional protective measures include implementing stronger rate limiting mechanisms that are not easily bypassed, deploying IP reputation filtering, and establishing monitoring for repeated failed authentication attempts from the same IP address. The fix implemented in version 1.7.0 should include proper validation of headers, implementation of a whitelist approach for trusted proxy servers, and modification of the get_user_ip() function to prioritize REMOTE_ADDR while maintaining proper handling of legitimate X-Forwarded-For usage in proxy environments. Organizations should also conduct security audits to identify other potential vulnerabilities in their network management infrastructure and ensure that similar header-based trust relationships are properly validated and secured. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of trusting unverified headers in security-sensitive applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1110 for credential access and T1566 for credential stuffing attacks.