Black Watch Lab - Vulnerabilities Black Watch Labs ID: BWL-00-03 Infonautics' getdoc.cgi may allow unauthorized access to documents Black Watch Labs Security Advisory #00-03 (March 21, 2000) Name: Infonautics' getdoc.cgi may allow unauthorized access to documents Black Watch Labs ID: BWL-00-03 Date Released: March 21, 2000 Category: Application (HTML) - parameter manipulation Products affected: Some Infonautics' applications Number of affected sites/pages/users: The list of Infonautics-based sites appears in the Infonautics site. Some of them certainly possess this vulnerability. Summary: Some Infonautics' applications utilize the getdoc.cgi CGI in such a way that allows attackers to gain (read) access to a document they would otherwise have to pay in order to view. Analysis: The exact mechanism of getdoc.cgi is not clear to the authors of this advisory, yet what is known is as following: This CGI is used by Infonautics' applications in order to view/purchase documents in archives and alike sites. The CGI is called with several parameters, and there are probably several "modes" and/or defaults (for missing parameters). However, it was observed that when the CGI is called in the following manner: getdoc.cgi?id=whatever-this&OIDS=whatever-that&Form=RL or getdoc.cgi?id=whatever-this&OIDS=whatever-that&Form=RL&m=1 then it is possible to remove the "RL" value from the "Form" field, and the application will grant access to the document without going through the payment phase. As the mechanism implemented in getdoc.cgi is not fully understood, it is possible that links having the above format will not be vulnerable, and it may also be possible that links which do not conform to the above format will be vulnerable. Exploits: As noted above, if a link is encountered in the following format: getdoc.cgi?id=whatever-this&OIDS=whatever-that&Form=RL&m=1 then an attacker can remove the RL and send: getdoc.cgi?id=whatever-this&OIDS=whatever-that&Form=&m=1 Vendor Status: Vendor notified. Vendor Patch or workaround: No patch or workaround available at the time of this release. References and Links: Infonautics: www.infonautics.com About Black Watch Labs (www.perfectotech.com/blackwatchlabs/) Black Watch Labs is a research group operated by Perfecto Technologies Inc., the leader in Web Application Security Management. Black Watch Labs was established in order to further the knowledge of the Internet community in the arena of Web application security management. Black Watch Labs publishes security advisories regularly, which are maintained at http://www.perfectotech.com/blackwatchlabs/, and are also posted to relevant security lists and Web sites. Black Watch Labs also operates a Web application security mailing list, which can be subscribed to at http://www.perfectotech.com/blackwatchlabs/. For more info about Black Watch Labs and Web Application Security Management, please call (408) 855-9500 or email BlackWatchLabs@perfectotech.com. About Perfecto Technologies (http://www.perfectotech.com/) Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., Perfecto Technologies is the leader in Web Application Security Management software. AppShield(TM), Perfecto's flagship product, is the first to provide automatic Web site security, enabling companies to realize faster time to market while meeting the demand for privacy and security. Black Watch Labs was established to further the knowledge of Web application security within the Internet security community. Privately held, Perfecto is funded by blue-chip venture capital firms and industry leaders, including Goldman Sachs, Intel Corporation, Sequoia Capital, The Sprout Group and Walden Israel. More information about Perfecto Technologies may be obtained by visiting the Company's Web site at www.perfectotech.com or by calling the Company directly at (408) 855-9500. Copyright © 1997-2000 Perfecto Technologies LTD. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce and distribute the application security alerts herein in their entirety, provided the information, this notice and all other Perfecto Technologies marks remain intact. Specific Limitations on Use of the Black Watch Labs Advisories THIS ADVISORY INCLUDES INFORMATION WHICH WILL ILLUSTRATE CERTAIN SECURITY RISKS AND ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH SITES ON THE INTERNET, INCLUDING, POTENTIALLY, YOUR SITE. YOU AGREE THAT YOUR VIEWING OF THIS ADVISORY IS SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSES OF UNDERSTANDING THESE RISKS AND ISSUES WITH RESPECT TO YOUR SITE AND THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OFFERED BY PERFECTO TECHNOLOGIES. YOU AGREE NOT TO USE ANY INFORMATION DISCLOSED TO YOU FOR ANY IMPROPER OR ILLEGAL PURPOSE, INCLUDING TO VIOLATE THE SECURITY OF ANY OTHER PERSON'S SITE. YOU ARE EXPLICITLY WARNED THAT THE USE FOR ANY IMPROPER PURPOSE OF INFORMATION DISCLOSED TO YOU COULD SUBJECT YOU TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY IN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES. NO WARRANTY Any material furnished by Perfecto Technologies is furnished on an "as is" basis and may change without notice. Perfecto Technologies makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied as to any matter including but not limited to, warranty of fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability, exclusivity or results obtained from use of the material. Neither does Perfecto Technologies make any warranty of any kind with respect to freedom from patent, trademark or copyright infringement. In no event shall Perfecto Technologies be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use or spread of this information. Any use of this information is at the user's own risk.