CVE-2011-2677 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Cybozu Office before 8.0.0 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions and access sensitive information (time card and attendance) via unspecified vectors related to manipulation of a URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2677 affects Cybozu Office versions prior to 8.0.0, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of the application. This issue specifically targets the authorization mechanisms within the system, allowing authenticated users to circumvent intended security restrictions. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified vectors involving URL manipulation, which demonstrates a fundamental weakness in how the application validates access permissions and processes user requests. The flaw enables malicious actors who have already established authentication credentials to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive employee data including time card and attendance records.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access control checks within the Cybozu Office application framework. When users navigate through the system, the application should enforce strict authorization protocols to ensure that each user can only access data pertinent to their role and permissions. However, the vulnerability allows for URL parameter manipulation that bypasses these security controls, effectively permitting users to construct requests that grant access to information outside their authorized scope. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference vulnerability, where the application fails to verify that the user has proper authorization to access specific resources. The issue aligns with CWE-285, which addresses insufficient authorization in software applications, and demonstrates how weak access control mechanisms can lead to information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it compromises the integrity of employee time tracking and attendance systems. Organizations utilizing Cybozu Office for workforce management face significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive personnel data, potential payroll fraud, and violation of privacy regulations. The vulnerability affects not only the confidentiality of time card information but also attendance records that may contain personal details about employee work patterns and schedules. This exposure creates opportunities for insider threats and external attacks, as malicious actors can exploit the flaw to gather comprehensive information about employee activities and working hours. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in regulated environments where maintaining accurate and secure time and attendance records is mandatory for compliance with labor laws and industry standards.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2677 require immediate implementation of comprehensive access control measures and thorough code review processes. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Cybozu Office version 8.0.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameter sanitization techniques can help prevent URL manipulation attacks. Security teams should conduct regular access control audits to ensure that users cannot access resources beyond their authorized permissions. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which focuses on valid accounts and privilege escalation, as this vulnerability essentially allows for unauthorized access to privileged information through legitimate user accounts. Network segmentation and monitoring of unusual access patterns can provide additional layers of defense, while implementing proper logging and alerting mechanisms will help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access control measures and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.