CVE-2012-3474 in Ushahidi
Summary
by MITRE
The comments API in application/libraries/api/MY_Comments_Api_Object.php in the Ushahidi Platform before 2.5 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information about the e-mail address, IP address, and other attributes of the author of a comment via an API function call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3474 resides within the Ushahidi Platform, a widely used open-source crisis mapping and information collection system. This security flaw specifically affects the comments API functionality located in the file application/libraries/api/MY_Comments_Api_Object.php. The Ushahidi Platform serves as a critical tool for organizations, journalists, and activists worldwide to collect, map, and share information during emergencies and crises, making the exposure of sensitive user data particularly concerning. The vulnerability represents a significant information disclosure issue that undermines the privacy and security of platform users who contribute comments to crisis reports.
The technical flaw manifests through improper access controls within the comments API implementation. When remote attackers make specific API function calls to the comments endpoint, they can retrieve detailed metadata about comment authors including email addresses, IP addresses, and other identifying attributes. This occurs because the API lacks proper authentication verification and authorization checks before exposing sensitive user information. The vulnerability stems from a design flaw where the system does not adequately validate who can access comment author metadata, allowing any authenticated or unauthenticated user to potentially obtain this information through crafted API requests. This type of information disclosure vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage, as it creates substantial risks for users who may be reporting sensitive information during crisis situations. Comment authors may include eyewitnesses, victims, or sources providing confidential information who expect their identities to remain protected. The exposure of email addresses and IP addresses could enable attackers to conduct targeted harassment, stalking, or social engineering attacks against platform users. Additionally, the compromise of author metadata could facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as credential stuffing or account takeover attempts, particularly if users reuse credentials across multiple platforms. This vulnerability directly impacts the platform's ability to maintain user trust and could potentially violate privacy regulations such as GDPR or CCPA when user data is exposed without proper consent or protection measures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms within the API endpoints. The recommended approach involves enforcing strict authorization checks that verify user permissions before exposing author metadata, ensuring that only legitimate users with appropriate privileges can access sensitive comment information. Additionally, the API should implement rate limiting and logging mechanisms to detect and prevent abuse of the vulnerable endpoints. Organizations using the Ushahidi Platform should upgrade to version 2.5 or later where this vulnerability has been patched, and implement proper input validation and output filtering to prevent information leakage. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments of API endpoints and ensure that all system components follow secure coding practices to prevent similar issues from emerging in the future. The remediation process should align with ATT&CK framework tactics related to privilege escalation and credential access, ensuring that the platform's security posture is strengthened against both current and potential future threats.