CVE-2015-2172 in DokuWiki
Summary
by MITRE
DokuWiki before 2014-05-05d and before 2014-09-29c does not properly check permission for the ACL plugins, which allows remote authenticated users to gain privileges and add or delete ACL rules via a request to the XMLRPC API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2172 affects DokuWiki versions prior to 2014-05-05d and 2014-09-29c, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of the wiki platform. This issue specifically targets the Access Control List (ACL) plugin implementation within DokuWiki's XMLRPC API interface, where insufficient permission validation creates a pathway for authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges and manipulate access controls. The vulnerability stems from the failure of the system to properly verify user permissions before executing ACL modification operations, allowing malicious actors with legitimate login credentials to perform unauthorized administrative actions.
The technical flaw manifests in the XMLRPC API's handling of ACL-related requests, where the system accepts and processes modification commands without adequate authorization checks. This oversight enables attackers to submit crafted requests that would normally be restricted to administrators or users with specific privileges. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the legitimate API interface, making it difficult to detect through standard network monitoring or intrusion detection systems. Attackers can leverage this weakness to add new ACL rules that grant them elevated permissions or delete existing rules that might restrict their access, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the wiki's access control system. An authenticated user who exploits this vulnerability can effectively become an administrator or gain access to resources that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This capability enables attackers to modify content, alter user permissions, and potentially gain access to sensitive information that would otherwise be protected. The vulnerability affects the core security architecture of DokuWiki, potentially allowing for data breaches, content tampering, and unauthorized system modifications that could impact the entire organization relying on the platform for collaborative work or documentation management.
Organizations using affected DokuWiki versions should immediately implement the available security patches released by the DokuWiki development team to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to versions 2014-05-05d or 2014-09-29c, which contain the necessary fixes to properly validate ACL permissions within the XMLRPC API. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unusual XMLRPC API activity, particularly around ACL modification requests. Security teams should also review existing access control policies and user permissions to ensure that only essential personnel have access to the XMLRPC API interfaces. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to secure system design. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of application programming interfaces to bypass access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify similar permission flaws in other web applications and ensure comprehensive security coverage across their infrastructure.