CVE-2004-0533 in Webintelligence
Summary
by MITRE
Business Objects WebIntelligence 2.7.0 through 2.7.4 only enforces access controls on the client, which allows remote authenticated users to delete arbitrary files on the server via a crafted delete request using the InfoView web client.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0533 represents a critical access control flaw within Business Objects WebIntelligence version 2.7.0 through 2.7.4. This issue stems from the application's improper implementation of security measures that should normally be enforced server-side but were instead relegated to client-side validation. The flaw exists specifically within the InfoView web client interface that users interact with when managing WebIntelligence documents and reports. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and demonstrates how client-side validation can be bypassed to gain unauthorized server-level privileges. Attackers exploiting this weakness can manipulate the web client interface to send crafted delete requests that bypass normal access controls, effectively allowing them to execute arbitrary file deletion operations on the target server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the InfoView web client's handling of file deletion requests. When users attempt to delete files through the web interface, the application should validate that the authenticated user has proper authorization to perform such operations. However, in the affected versions, this validation process fails to properly enforce access controls on the server side, relying instead on client-side checks that can be easily manipulated. This architectural flaw means that any authenticated user can craft malicious delete requests that appear legitimate to the server but are actually designed to target arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability does not require special privileges beyond basic authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who should normally only have limited access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized file deletion. Attackers can leverage this weakness to compromise the entire WebIntelligence environment by removing critical system files, configuration data, or even the application itself. This could lead to complete service disruption, data loss, or provide a foothold for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability also raises concerns about data integrity and confidentiality, as unauthorized deletion of files may include sensitive business intelligence reports or database connection information. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact vector that can be exploited without requiring deep technical knowledge of the underlying system architecture. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of the software (2.7.0 through 2.7.4) indicates it was likely a persistent architectural issue that affected a significant user base.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Business Objects WebIntelligence that properly enforces access controls server-side. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the InfoView web client to unauthorized users. Additional defensive measures include monitoring web application logs for unusual deletion patterns, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests, and conducting regular security assessments of web interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of server-side validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, particularly the need for proper access control implementation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and denial of service techniques, as attackers can gain elevated privileges through unauthorized file deletion and potentially cause service disruption. Organizations should also review their overall security architecture to ensure that similar client-side validation issues do not exist in other components of their business intelligence infrastructure.