CVE-2015-8570 in Active Directory Self Service
Summary
by MITRE
The password reset functionality in Lepide Active Directory Self Service allows remote authenticated users to change arbitrary domain user passwords via a crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8570 resides within the Lepide Active Directory Self Service platform, specifically targeting its password reset mechanism. This issue represents a critical authorization flaw that enables malicious actors with valid credentials to exploit the system's authentication flow and manipulate user account credentials across the domain. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control measures within the password reset functionality, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation. Organizations relying on this tool for self-service password management face significant risk exposure as legitimate users can potentially compromise other domain accounts through crafted requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the password reset API endpoints or web forms. Attackers with authenticated access can construct specially crafted requests that bypass normal validation checks and directly modify user account passwords without proper authorization. This flaw operates at the application layer and typically requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user access is not strictly controlled. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1531 for Account Access Removal, demonstrating how this weakness can be leveraged for persistent access and account manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8570 extends beyond immediate credential compromise, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access within the domain environment. Once exploited, malicious actors can reset passwords for multiple user accounts, including administrative privileges, effectively gaining unauthorized access to critical systems and data. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security principle of least privilege and can facilitate lateral movement within the network. Organizations may experience unauthorized data access, system compromise, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability affects any environment using Lepide Active Directory Self Service where the password reset functionality is enabled, particularly impacting enterprises with centralized identity management systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8570 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected software version and implementation of additional security controls. Organizations must ensure that all instances of Lepide Active Directory Self Service are updated to versions containing the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit exposure of the password reset functionality to only authorized users. Implementing robust logging and monitoring of password reset activities enables detection of anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough access reviews and implement principle of least privilege controls to minimize the potential impact of credential compromise. Additional defensive measures include validating all user inputs, implementing rate limiting for password reset requests, and ensuring that password reset functionality requires additional authentication factors beyond standard credentials. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments of identity management systems to prevent similar authorization bypass scenarios.