Allaire Security Bulletin (ASB00-04) - There is a security issue with the Spectra 1.0 Remote Access Service invoke.cfm template. Normally users must be authenticated in the webtop security context in order to even attempt to use the Remote Access Service. However, if the user passes a parameter called "bAuthenticated" via the URL, a form field, or a WDDX packet, and the user does not specify a username, a bug allows them to use the Remote Access Service even if they are not in the webtop user directory.
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Allaire Security Bulletin (ASB00-04)
Patch Available for Allaire Spectra 1.0 Security Authentication System
Originally Posted: January 31, 2000
Last Updated: January 31, 2000
Summary
There is a security issue with the Spectra 1.0 Remote Access Service invoke.cfm template. Normally
users must be authenticated in the webtop security context in order to even attempt to use the
Remote Access Service. However, if the user passes a parameter called "bAuthenticated" via the
URL, a form field, or a WDDX packet, and the user does not specify a username, a bug allows them
to use the Remote Access Service even if they are not in the webtop user directory. Note that this
does not pose a problem for secured resources, but it does defeat the extra layer of protection that
prevents non-webtop users from using and altering unsecured resources.
Issue
There is a security issue with the Spectra 1.0 Remote Access Service invoke.cfm template. Normally
users must be authenticated in the webtop security context in order to even attempt to use the
Remote Access Service. However, if the user passes a parameter called "bAuthenticated" via the
URL, a form field, or a WDDX packet, and the user does not specify a username, a bug allows them
to use the Remote Access Service even if they are not in the webtop user directory.
The issue directly related to certain variables within the authentication code not being set to proper
values, allowing users to parse information through a URL string. The issue exists in the main Spectra
Webtop application, the i-Build and the RestoreNet applications.
Affected Software Versions
· Allaire Spectra 1.0
What Allaire is Doing
Allaire has published this bulletin notifying customers of the problem. Allaire has also released new
authentication templates that will resolve the authentication bugs. These templates are available for
download and inspection. Allaire also recommends that users install sample applications and
documentation on secured development servers, and not on production servers.
Download - SPECTRA 1.0 Security Authentication System Patches
What Customers Should Do
Customers should download and copy the new files into their respective directories, renaming them
all to "invoke.cfm", overwriting the old invoke.cfm files. The following is a list of which template goes
in which directory:
File
Location
Rename
To
Replaces
invoke_spectra.cfm
{webroot}\allaire\spectra\
Invoke.cfm
Invoke.cfm
invoke_ibuild.cfm
{webroot}\i-build\
Invoke.cfm
Invoke.cfm
invoke_restorenet.cfm
{webroot}\allaire\spectra\restorenet\
Invoke.cfm
Invoke.cfm
Allaire strongly recommends that customers remove all documentation, sample code, example
applications, and tutorials from production servers. The examples that are installed with Spectra are
installed in the "{webroot}\ibuild", "{webroot}\allaire\spectra\restorenet" and the
"{webroot}\allaire\spectra\docs" directories, which are normally installed in the root of the Web server
directory.
Access to the {webroot}\allaire\spectra\docs directory should be secured with Operating System and
Web Server security on developer workstations.
Customers should also closely monitor their production server web logs for browser HTTP requests
attempting to access files in the "/allaire/spectra/docs", "/ibuild", and "/allaire/spectra/restorenet"
directories as they would requests for files in the "/cfdocs" or "/cfide/administrator" directories,
treating these requests as malicious reconnaissance probes by would-be attackers.
Revisions
January 31, 2000 -- Bulletin first created.
Reporting Security Issues
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how they can protect themselves. If you identify what you believe may be a security issue with an
Allaire product, please send an email to secure@allaire.com. We will work to appropriately address and
communicate the issue.
Receiving Security Bulletins
When Allaire becomes aware of a security issue that we believe significantly affects our products or
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a security bulletin explaining the issue and the response. Allaire customers who would like to receive
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service.
For additional information on security issues at Allaire, please visit the Security Zone at:
https://www.allaire.com/security
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