CVE-2024-0186: Huiran Host Reseller System Auth Bypass

CVE-2024-0186 Overview

CVE-2024-0186 is a weak password recovery vulnerability [CWE-640] in HuiRan Host Reseller System versions up to 2.0.0. The flaw resides in the /user/index/findpass?do=4 endpoint, which is handled by the HTTP POST request handler. Attackers can manipulate the password recovery workflow remotely without authentication or user interaction. The exploit details have been disclosed publicly under VulDB identifier VDB-249444. While the attack complexity is high and exploitability is rated as difficult, successful exploitation grants full account takeover with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Critical Impact
Remote attackers can hijack accounts by abusing the password recovery endpoint, leading to full compromise of user accounts in HuiRan Host Reseller System deployments.

Affected Products

HuiRan Host Reseller System versions up to and including 2.0.0
Component: HTTP POST Request Handler at /user/index/findpass?do=4
Vendor: huiran_host_reseller_system_project

Discovery Timeline

2024-01-02 - CVE-2024-0186 published to NVD
2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-0186

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from a weak password recovery mechanism [CWE-640] in the HuiRan Host Reseller System. The affected endpoint /user/index/findpass?do=4 processes password reset requests through HTTP POST, but does not enforce sufficient validation on the recovery workflow. An attacker who can predict, brute-force, or manipulate the recovery parameters can reset another user's password and take control of the account.

The issue is reachable over the network without prior authentication. No user interaction is required from the legitimate account holder. However, the public advisory characterizes the attack complexity as high and exploitability as difficult, suggesting that successful exploitation requires specific conditions or knowledge about the target account. The current EPSS probability stands at 0.606% (percentile 44.16), reflecting limited observed exploitation activity in the wild.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper design of the password recovery flow within the findpass action. Weak recovery mechanisms typically include predictable tokens, insufficient identity verification, or reliance on guessable secret answers. The vendor implementation does not adequately bind the recovery operation to a verified channel controlled by the legitimate user.

Attack Vector

An unauthenticated remote attacker sends crafted HTTP POST requests to /user/index/findpass?do=4 with parameters that manipulate the recovery state for a targeted account. After abusing the flaw, the attacker controls credentials for the victim account and can authenticate as the user. Technical details and proof-of-concept context are documented in the public VulDB entry #249444 and the Zhaoj research note.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-0186

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP POST requests to /user/index/findpass?do=4 originating from unexpected source IPs or in unusual volume.
Password reset events for accounts followed by logins from previously unseen IP addresses or user agents.
Repeated findpass requests targeting different usernames in a short time window, indicative of enumeration.

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server and application logs for access patterns against the findpass endpoint, focusing on do=4 parameter usage.
Correlate password recovery events with subsequent account changes such as email or contact updates.
Deploy web application firewall rules that flag anomalous parameter values submitted to the recovery endpoint.

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on multiple password reset attempts for the same account from differing sources.
Track session creation immediately following a recovery event and verify against known device fingerprints.
Retain HTTP access logs for the /user/index/ path for at least 90 days to support investigation of late-detected abuse.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-0186

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict external access to the /user/index/findpass endpoint using network controls or a reverse proxy until a fix is applied.
Audit recent password reset events and force re-verification for any account whose password changed during the exposure window.
Notify users to rotate credentials and enable any additional verification factors supported by the platform.

Patch Information

No vendor advisory or official patch has been published in the references provided with this CVE. Operators should monitor the VulDB entry #249444 and vendor communication channels for updates. Until a fix is available, treat all instances of HuiRan Host Reseller System up to 2.0.0 as vulnerable.

Workarounds

Disable the password recovery feature at the application or web server layer if business processes allow.
Implement strong out-of-band identity verification before processing any password reset, such as confirmation links sent to verified email addresses with short-lived, single-use tokens.
Apply rate limiting and CAPTCHA controls on the findpass endpoint to raise the cost of automated abuse.

bash

# Example nginx configuration to rate-limit the vulnerable endpoint
limit_req_zone $binary_remote_addr zone=findpass:10m rate=5r/m;

server {
    location = /user/index/findpass {
        limit_req zone=findpass burst=2 nodelay;
        # Optionally restrict to internal networks only
        # allow 10.0.0.0/8;
        # deny all;
        proxy_pass http://backend;
    }
}