Advisory: ActiveWeb Contentserver CMS Editor Permission Settings Problem

RedTeam Pentesting discovered a problem with the permission settings in
the management interface of the activeWeb contentserver CMS during a
penetration test. The ability of an editor to create and edit documents
can be restricted to specific folders. RedTeam Pentesting was still able
to create arbitrary documents in all directories, regardless of the
restrictions set on the editor account.


Details
=======

Product: activeWeb contentserver
Affected Versions: <= 5.6.2929
Fixed Versions: 5.6.2964
Vulnerability Type: Permission Problem
Security-Risk: medium
Vendor-URL: http://www.active-web.de/aw/home/Produkte/~gf/contentserver/
Vendor-Status: informed, fixed version released
Advisory-URL: http://www.redteam-pentesting.de/advisories/rt-sa-2007-007.php
Advisory-Status: public
CVE: CVE-2007-3018
CVE-URL: http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2007-3018


Introduction
============

contentserver is the comprehensive, scalable Content Management System
for professional requirements. It combines editorial system, website
management and development platform for web applications in one package.

(translation of the description on the vendor's homepage)


More Details
============

When creating new editor accounts, the administrator has the ability to
impose restrictions on it. The editor can be restricted to be only able
to create and modify files in certain folders. All other folders should
be inaccessible to him.
The vulnerability lies in the fact that an editor with such a restricted
account is still able to create files in arbitrary locations. He will
not be able to edit already existing pages though.


Fix
===

The vulnerability is fixed in release 5.6.2964.


Security Risk
=============

Editors may create arbitrary files in locations they are not supposed to
modify.  This can include the usage of Javascript for malicious purposes
or other ways of exploiting users. They cannot modify existing files,
and the creation of new files is easily traceable and revertable through
the system. Additionally, editors are normally considered trustworthy.
The risk is therefore labeled as medium.


History
=======

2007-05-23 Problem found during a penetration test
2007-05-30 Vendor notified by customer
2007-06-01 Vendor called back to discuss next steps and to announce
           investigation
2007-06-29 Vendor confirmed the vulnerability
2007-06-30 CVE number assigned
2007-07-11 Vendor released fixed version
2007-07-13 Advisory released

The vendor was very cooperative. There was always a competent contact
person available who answered any questions.


RedTeam Pentesting GmbH
=======================

RedTeam Pentesting is offering individual penetration tests, short
pentests, performed by a team of specialised IT-security experts.
Hereby, security weaknesses in company networks or products are
uncovered and can be fixed immediately.

As there are only few experts in this field, RedTeam Pentesting wants to
share its knowledge and enhance the public knowledge with research in
security related areas. The results are made available as public
security advisories.

More information about RedTeam Pentesting can be found at
http://www.redteam-pentesting.de.

-- 
RedTeam Pentesting GmbH                    Tel.: +49 241 963-1300
Dennewartstr. 25-27                        Fax : +49 241 963-1304
52068 Aachen                    http://www.redteam-pentesting.de/
Germany                         Registergericht: Aachen HRB 14004
Geschäftsführer: Patrick Hof, Jens Liebchen, Claus R. F. Overbeck