CVE-2007-2849 in KnowledgeTree Document Management
Summary
by MITRE
KnowledgeTree Document Management (aka KnowledgeTree Open Source) before STABLE 3.3.7 does not require a password for an unregistered user, when the user exists in Active Directory, which allows remote attackers to log onto KTDMS without the intended authorization check.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2849 affects KnowledgeTree Document Management System version STABLE 3.3.7 and earlier, presenting a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security model of the document management platform. This issue specifically manifests when the system is configured to integrate with Active Directory for user authentication, creating a dangerous bypass condition that allows unauthorized access to the system. The flaw represents a fundamental failure in the authentication process, where the system fails to enforce proper password verification for users who exist in the Active Directory environment but are not registered within the KnowledgeTree system itself.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the system's improper handling of user authentication flows when Active Directory integration is enabled. When an unregistered user attempts to access the KnowledgeTree system and their username exists within the connected Active Directory domain, the system erroneously grants access without requiring the proper authentication credentials. This behavior violates standard security principles and creates an authentication bypass that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability operates at the application level and specifically affects the authentication module's logic for validating user credentials, where the system fails to properly distinguish between registered users and external Active Directory users, leading to a scenario where legitimate Active Directory users can bypass the intended authorization checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive document management systems without proper authorization. An attacker could potentially exploit this weakness to access confidential documents, modify system configurations, or perform administrative actions within the KnowledgeTree environment. The vulnerability particularly impacts organizations that rely on Active Directory integration for user management, as it undermines the trust model that organizations place in their directory services. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker does not need physical access to the network or system, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where the system is accessible over the internet. This flaw essentially creates a backdoor that allows unauthorized access to the document management system, potentially exposing sensitive corporate data and intellectual property.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to address the authentication bypass issue. The primary solution involves upgrading to KnowledgeTree version STABLE 3.3.7 or later, where the authentication logic has been corrected to properly validate user credentials regardless of Active Directory integration status. System administrators should also review and tighten the authentication configuration to ensure that proper credential validation occurs for all users, regardless of their directory service integration status. Additional security measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the KnowledgeTree system, enforcing strong access controls through firewalls, and conducting thorough security audits to identify any unauthorized access attempts that may have occurred due to this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring authentication logs for suspicious activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in information security. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and initial access techniques, as it allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain system access without proper authorization, potentially enabling further exploitation of the compromised system.