CVE-2014-1993 in Garoon
Summary
by MITRE
The Portlets subsystem in Cybozu Garoon 2.x and 3.x before 3.7 SP4 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1993 affects the Portlets subsystem within Cybozu Garoon versions 2.x and 3.x prior to 3.7 SP4, representing a critical access control flaw that enables remote authenticated users to circumvent intended security restrictions. This vulnerability resides within the web-based collaboration platform that serves enterprise users for calendar management, document sharing, and workflow automation. The Portlets subsystem provides modular components that display dynamic content within the Garoon interface, making it a crucial element for user experience and functionality. The unspecified vectors underlying this vulnerability suggest that attackers can exploit multiple pathways within the access control mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to restricted resources. The vulnerability specifically targets the authorization controls that govern user permissions and resource access, potentially allowing users with lower privileges to access features, data, or administrative functions that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This type of flaw falls under the category of privilege escalation within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, typically classified as CWE-284 which addresses improper access control mechanisms. The security implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate sensitive business data, disrupt workflow processes, or potentially escalate their privileges further within the system environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions within the Portlets subsystem, where authenticated users can manipulate session states or request parameters to bypass intended access controls. This weakness allows attackers to exploit the authorization framework through methods that may involve manipulating portlet configuration parameters, exploiting session handling flaws, or leveraging inconsistencies in access control checks. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the access control implementation that was not properly addressed across the product lifecycle. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may involve multiple attack surfaces including but not limited to parameter manipulation, session hijacking, or manipulation of access control lists within the portlet framework. The vulnerability's classification as remote authenticated access means that attackers do not need physical access to the system but can exploit this through network-based attacks, potentially using techniques such as cross-site request forgery or session manipulation to achieve unauthorized access. This aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, where adversaries seek to gain elevated privileges or bypass security controls to access restricted resources. The impact of such vulnerabilities can be significant in enterprise environments where Garoon systems manage sensitive corporate information and workflow processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1993 extends beyond immediate unauthorized access to encompass broader security implications for enterprise information systems. Organizations using affected versions of Cybozu Garoon may experience data breaches, unauthorized modification of business processes, or disruption of collaborative workflows that depend on the platform. The vulnerability's potential for privilege escalation means that attackers could gain access to administrative functions, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This type of access control bypass is particularly dangerous in environments where the platform serves as a central hub for business operations, as it could enable attackers to manipulate critical business data or disrupt essential workflow processes. The vulnerability affects both Garoon 2.x and 3.x versions, indicating a widespread issue that would require extensive patching across organizations. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly concerning for organizations with limited network security controls. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive data is accessed through this vulnerability, particularly in industries with strict data protection requirements. The attack surface for this vulnerability includes not just direct exploitation but also potential for use in combination with other vulnerabilities to achieve more significant security breaches. Recovery from such incidents would require thorough security assessments, patch deployment, and potentially forensic analysis to determine the full scope of any unauthorized access that may have occurred. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper access control configuration in enterprise collaboration platforms, as this flaw represents a failure in the security architecture that could have been prevented through better design practices and more rigorous testing of access control mechanisms.