CVE-2014-2862 in Commonspot Content Server
Summary
by MITRE
PaperThin CommonSpot before 7.0.2 and 8.x before 8.0.3 does not check authorization in unspecified situations, which allows remote authenticated users to perform actions via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2862 affects PaperThin CommonSpot content management systems across versions prior to 7.0.2 and 8.x versions before 8.0.3. This represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that undermines the fundamental security controls of the platform. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user permissions within unspecified operational contexts, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized actions. The affected systems operate under the assumption that authenticated users possess appropriate access rights, but fail to verify these permissions in certain scenarios, thereby creating a security gap that can be exploited by remote attackers who have already established authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper authorization checks that occur during specific operational phases within the CommonSpot application framework. While the exact vectors remain unspecified in the original description, such authorization bypasses typically involve scenarios where the system fails to validate user roles or permissions against intended access controls. This flaw falls under the broader category of authorization vulnerabilities as classified by CWE-285, which specifically addresses improper authorization conditions within software systems. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-285's focus on situations where systems fail to properly enforce access control mechanisms, particularly when users can perform actions beyond their designated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2862 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary actions within the CMS environment. This could potentially allow attackers to modify content, create new user accounts, alter system configurations, or access sensitive data that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in internet-facing applications. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials as a means of gaining access to systems, while the lack of proper authorization checks represents a failure in access control enforcement.
Organizations utilizing affected PaperThin CommonSpot versions face significant risks including potential data breaches, content tampering, and unauthorized system modifications that could compromise the integrity and availability of their digital assets. The vulnerability's presence in both major version lines suggests a systemic issue within the authorization framework that affects a substantial portion of the user base. Remediation efforts should focus on immediate patching to version 7.0.2 or 8.0.3, depending on the current deployment, while also implementing additional monitoring to detect unusual user activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive access control reviews to ensure that the patched systems maintain proper authorization boundaries and that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application's codebase.