CVE-2013-5027 in Collabtive
Summary
by MITRE
Collabtive 1.0 has incorrect access control
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5027 affects Collabtive version 1.0 and represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the application's security model. This issue stems from improper implementation of user authentication and authorization mechanisms within the collaborative platform, creating potential pathways for unauthorized users to access restricted functionalities and data. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to adequately verify user permissions before granting access to sensitive operations, allowing malicious actors to exploit the weakness and gain elevated privileges.
This access control vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized users to perform actions they should not be permitted to execute. The flaw exists at the application logic level where user roles and permissions are not properly enforced during runtime operations. In the context of Collabtive, this could enable attackers to manipulate project data, view confidential information, or execute administrative functions without proper authentication. The vulnerability represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege, where users can access resources beyond their designated permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized modification of collaborative content. Attackers exploiting this flaw could potentially alter project timelines, modify task assignments, access private communications, or even delete critical project data. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire collaborative environment, as unauthorized users can manipulate the application state and access information that should remain restricted to specific user roles. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on the platform for sensitive project management activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5027 should focus on implementing proper input validation and access control checks at every point where user permissions are required. Organizations should ensure that all application functions perform adequate authentication and authorization verification before executing any privileged operations. The recommended approach involves implementing robust role-based access control mechanisms that enforce strict permission boundaries and regularly audit access logs to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version that addresses the access control implementation flaws, as recommended by the vendor's security advisories and aligned with best practices outlined in the ATT&CK framework for privilege escalation techniques.