CVE-2012-2055 in GitHub Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
GitHub Enterprise before 20120304 does not properly restrict the use of a hash to provide values for a model s attributes, which allows remote attackers to set the public_key[user_id] value via a modified URL for the public-key update form, related to a "mass assignment" vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2055 represents a critical mass assignment flaw within GitHub Enterprise versions prior to 20120304. This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms that govern how user-provided data is processed and mapped to internal model attributes. The vulnerability specifically affects the public key update functionality where the application fails to properly sanitize or restrict the parameters that can be modified through user input, creating an avenue for unauthorized data manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of URL parameters during public key update operations. Attackers can craft modified URLs that include the public_key[user_id] parameter, allowing them to bypass normal authorization checks and directly assign values to sensitive model attributes. This mass assignment vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate user associations and potentially gain elevated privileges within the system. The flaw operates at the application logic level where the framework fails to distinguish between legitimate user input and potentially malicious parameter modifications that should be restricted to authorized administrators.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2055 extends beyond simple data corruption, as it can enable privilege escalation and unauthorized access to user accounts. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can potentially associate public keys with arbitrary user accounts, which may lead to unauthorized access to repositories, code modifications, and potential lateral movement within the organization's development environment. This vulnerability particularly affects collaborative development platforms where public key management is integral to authentication and access control mechanisms, making it a significant threat to software development security.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-915, which specifically addresses "Improperly Controlled Modification of Dynamically-Detected Object Attributes," and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1531 for Account Access Removal. The flaw demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and inadequate protection against parameter tampering, which are fundamental security principles that should be enforced at multiple layers of application architecture. Organizations using vulnerable versions of GitHub Enterprise should immediately implement patch management procedures to address this issue, while also reviewing their application frameworks for similar mass assignment vulnerabilities that could affect other components of their software development infrastructure.