CVE-2013-7435 in Evergreen
Summary
by MITRE
The open-ils.pcrud endpoint in Evergreen before 2.5.9, 2.6.x before 2.6.7, and 2.7.x before 2.7.4 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive settings history information by leveraging lack of user permission for retrieval in fm_IDL.xml.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7435 affects the Evergreen ILS (Integrated Library System) software, specifically targeting the open-ils.pcrud endpoint. This critical security flaw exists in versions prior to 2.5.9, 2.6.7, and 2.7.4, representing a significant weakness in the system's access control mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient user permission validation within the fm_IDL.xml configuration files, which govern the data model and access controls for the system's database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of database queries through the open-ils.pcrud endpoint, which serves as a core interface for performing CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations within the Evergreen system. When users attempt to access sensitive settings history information through this endpoint, the system fails to properly validate whether the requesting user possesses adequate permissions to retrieve such data. This lack of proper authentication and authorization checks creates an information disclosure vulnerability that allows remote attackers to bypass normal access controls and obtain confidential system configuration details.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as the sensitive settings history information that can be accessed includes critical configuration parameters that may reveal system architecture, database schemas, and operational settings. Attackers can leverage this information to craft more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to further system compromise, privilege escalation, or targeted exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the Evergreen environment. The remote nature of this attack vector means that adversaries can exploit the vulnerability from outside the organization's network, making it particularly dangerous for library systems that may have limited security monitoring.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization checks in web applications. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a privilege escalation technique, specifically involving the use of insecure direct object references to access unauthorized data. The flaw demonstrates how configuration files like fm_IDL.xml should properly enforce access controls and validate user permissions before allowing data retrieval operations. Organizations running affected versions of Evergreen should immediately implement patches and updates to address this vulnerability, while also reviewing their access control configurations to ensure proper segregation of sensitive system information. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to verify that all user permissions are properly enforced and that no additional access control bypasses exist within the system's API endpoints.