Vulnerability: SocialEngine (SocialEngine.net) high risk security flaw

SECURITY ADVISORY CS-2008-2

Vulnerability: Improper validation of external parameters
Vendor: SocialEngine (http://www.socialengine.net)
Affected versions: <2.83
Risk: High

I. DESCRIPTION

Improper validation of browser cookies leads to complete control over
client host.

II. BACKGROUND

During client authentication, cookies are used as an input parameters
for authorization and validation of identity both as user and as an
administrator. It is possible to construct specially crafted cookie
parameters which will cause sql injection and give full administrative
access rights. Additionally, having full write access templates for
smarty based engine, together with all-allow security level for the
templates processing, allows injection of php code into templates,
gaining complete and undetected control of the server, such as direct
access to file system, direct access to any databases.

III. ANALYSIS

1. user level entry path via
   include/class_user.php

user_checkCookies -> se_user

2. admin level entry path via
   include/class_admin.php

admin_checkCookies -> se_admin

IV. POC EXPLOIT

not disclosed, submitted to vendor

V. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

10-Jul-2008 Initial vendor notification
11-Jul-2008 Vendor releases patch
22-Jul-2008 Public Disclosure

VI. CREDITS

Creogenic Security
Tim Loshak
[email protected]