CVE-2002-1538 in Acusend
Summary
by MITRE
Acuma Acusend 4, and possibly earlier versions, allows remote authenticated users to read the reports of other users by inferring the full URL, whose name is easily predictable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1538 represents a critical access control flaw within the Acuma Acusend 4 software system and potentially earlier versions. This issue stems from predictable URL naming conventions that allow authenticated remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user reports. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based reporting functionality of the application, where report identifiers follow a pattern that can be easily guessed or enumerated by malicious actors. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of weak access control mechanisms and improper authorization checks, which are commonly classified under CWE-284 Access Control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the predictable nature of URL structures within the application's reporting module. When users generate reports within the Acusend system, the system assigns identifiers that follow a discernible pattern, making it possible for an authenticated user to systematically guess or infer the URLs of other users' reports. This occurs because the application does not implement proper access controls or validation mechanisms to ensure that users can only access their own generated content. The flaw essentially creates a directory traversal or enumeration vulnerability where the application's URL structure inadvertently exposes information about other users' report data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the application. An attacker who gains access to another user's report can potentially access sensitive business information, personal data, or confidential operational details depending on the nature of the reports generated within the system. This vulnerability can lead to data breaches, privacy violations, and potential compliance issues, especially in regulated environments where access to user data must be strictly controlled. The risk is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker could potentially exploit this through legitimate user credentials obtained through phishing, credential theft, or other means.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access control mechanisms and ensuring that URL structures do not expose predictable identifiers. Organizations should implement random or cryptographically secure identifiers for report generation, ensuring that each user's report URLs cannot be easily guessed or enumerated. The system should enforce strict access controls at the application level, verifying that users can only access their own generated content regardless of URL structure. Additionally, implementing proper session management and authentication mechanisms, as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, would help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as it leverages legitimate user credentials to access unauthorized information, and T1213 Data from Information Repositories, as it involves extracting sensitive data from application repositories.