CVE-2012-4021 in kintai kanri
Summary
by MITRE
MosP kintai kanri before 4.1.0 does not properly perform authentication, which allows remote authenticated users to impersonate arbitrary user accounts, and consequently obtain sensitive information or modify settings, via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4021 affects MosP kintai kanri version 4.1.0 and earlier, representing a critical authentication flaw that undermines the system's user access controls. This vulnerability resides within the software's authentication mechanism, specifically failing to properly validate user credentials and session management. The flaw allows authenticated users to exploit the system's weak access controls to impersonate other user accounts, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries that separate different user privileges and access levels. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple identity theft, as it enables attackers to access sensitive information and modify system settings that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This authentication bypass vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in the software's security architecture, particularly concerning user account management and privilege escalation capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate authentication checks within the MosP kintai kanri application, which operates as a time management and attendance tracking system for organizations. The flaw manifests when authenticated users attempt to manipulate session data or access control mechanisms through unspecified vectors that exploit the software's insufficient validation processes. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software applications. The system's failure to properly authenticate user requests means that legitimate users with valid credentials can potentially escalate their privileges to gain access to other user accounts without proper authorization. This weakness creates a pathway for privilege escalation attacks that can result in unauthorized access to confidential data, modification of time records, and potential system configuration changes that could compromise the entire attendance management system.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4021 extends significantly beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates a persistent security risk that can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of organizational data. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can manipulate time and attendance records, potentially altering work hours, vacation requests, or other critical time management data that organizations rely upon for payroll processing, compliance reporting, and workforce management. The ability to impersonate arbitrary user accounts means that malicious actors could gain access to sensitive employee information, including personal data, salary details, and performance records that should remain confidential. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that depend on accurate time tracking and attendance data for regulatory compliance, as unauthorized modifications to these records could lead to legal and financial consequences. The impact is amplified when considering that the vulnerability affects the core functionality of the attendance management system, potentially disrupting business operations and creating audit trail inconsistencies.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate remediation measures to address the authentication flaw in their MosP kintai kanri deployments. The primary mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 4.1.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to resolve the authentication bypass vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as monitoring for unusual authentication patterns, implementing stronger session management protocols, and conducting regular security assessments of the attendance tracking system. According to ATT&CK framework considerations, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, specifically targeting the T1078 credential access technique and T1068 privilege escalation technique. Organizations should also review their access control policies and ensure that proper principle of least privilege is enforced within the system. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability allows for remote exploitation by authenticated users who may have legitimate access to the system. Regular security training for administrators and users can help identify potential exploitation attempts and maintain awareness of the importance of proper authentication practices in maintaining system security.