CVE-2023-40762
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in PHPJabbers Fundraising Script v1.0 allows attackers to enumerate valid user accounts through the password recovery feature. By observing differences in error messages, attackers can identify which usernames/emails exist in the system, enabling targeted brute force attacks. Organizations using this specific version of the fundraising script are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- PHPJabbers Fundraising Script
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers enumerate all valid user accounts, then perform credential stuffing or brute force attacks to compromise accounts, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or account takeover.
Likely Case
Attackers identify valid user accounts and attempt password guessing attacks, potentially compromising some accounts with weak passwords.
If Mitigated
With proper controls like rate limiting, CAPTCHA, and consistent error messages, the impact is reduced to minimal information disclosure.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires no authentication and involves simple HTTP requests to the password recovery endpoint with different usernames/emails.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Unknown
Vendor Advisory: https://www.phpjabbers.com/fundraising-script/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
Check vendor website for updates; if no patch is available, consider implementing workarounds or replacing the software.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Implement Consistent Error Messages
allModify the password recovery script to return identical messages for both valid and invalid users, preventing enumeration.
Edit the PHP file handling password recovery to standardize response messages.
Add Rate Limiting and CAPTCHA
allImplement rate limiting on password recovery requests and require CAPTCHA verification to prevent automated enumeration.
Implement PHP-based rate limiting (e.g., using sessions or Redis) and integrate a CAPTCHA service like reCAPTCHA.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable the password recovery feature entirely if not needed.
- Implement network-level rate limiting using a WAF or firewall to block excessive requests to the password recovery endpoint.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Test the password recovery feature with valid and invalid usernames/emails; if responses differ (e.g., 'user not found' vs. 'recovery email sent'), the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
Check the script's documentation or configuration files for version information; typically found in README files or admin panels.Verify Fix Applied:
After applying fixes, test with valid and invalid inputs; responses should be identical regardless of user existence.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple failed password recovery attempts from the same IP address.
- Unusual patterns of requests to the password recovery endpoint (e.g., sequential usernames).
Network Indicators:
- High volume of POST requests to the password recovery URL from a single source.
SIEM Query:
sourceIP = [attacker_ip] AND url = "/password-recovery.php" AND count > 10 within 1 minute