CVE-2007-5486 in dotProject
Summary
by MITRE
dotProject before 2.1 does not properly check privileges when invoking the Companies module, which allows remote attackers to access this module via a crafted URL. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5486 affects dotProject versions prior to 2.1 and represents a critical access control flaw within the Companies module. This issue stems from insufficient privilege validation mechanisms that fail to properly authenticate user permissions before granting access to sensitive administrative functionality. The vulnerability manifests when remote attackers construct malicious URLs that bypass the intended authorization checks, thereby gaining unauthorized access to company-related data and management features.
This technical flaw directly corresponds to CWE-285, which categorizes improper authorization vulnerabilities where systems fail to properly enforce access controls for protected resources. The vulnerability operates at the application level and demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and access control enforcement within the web application's security architecture. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific URL parameters that circumvent the normal authentication flow, effectively allowing unauthorized users to access functionality they should not be permitted to use.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as the Companies module typically contains sensitive business data including client information, financial records, and organizational details. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially manipulate company data, view confidential information, or perform administrative actions that could compromise business operations and data integrity. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no local access or special privileges beyond basic network connectivity, making it accessible to any remote attacker with knowledge of the application's URL structure.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers spearphishing with a focus on credential access. The lack of proper privilege checking creates an opportunity for attackers to escalate their access level within the application, potentially leading to further exploitation of other modules or features. Organizations using affected versions of dotProject face significant risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and potential regulatory penalties due to the exposure of sensitive business information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching to dotProject version 2.1 or later, where the privilege checking mechanisms have been properly implemented. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious URL patterns. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities in other application modules. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper authentication checks before any module functionality is executed, ensuring that only authorized users with appropriate permissions can access the Companies module.