CVE-2016-1152 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Cybozu Office 9.9.0 through 10.3.0 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions, and read or write to plan data, via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-8484, CVE-2015-8485, and CVE-2015-8486.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1152 represents a critical access control flaw within Cybozu Office versions 9.9.0 through 10.3.0 that enables remote authenticated attackers to circumvent intended security restrictions. This vulnerability specifically targets the application's authorization mechanisms, allowing malicious users who have already established legitimate authentication to perform unauthorized operations on plan data. The flaw manifests as an insufficient access control implementation that permits privilege escalation or unauthorized data manipulation beyond the user's intended permissions. Unlike related vulnerabilities CVE-2015-8484, CVE-2015-8485, and CVE-2015-8486 which addressed different aspects of the application's security model, CVE-2016-1152 focuses on the core access control logic that governs data operations within the planning module of the software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions when processing requests related to plan data operations. Attackers who have successfully authenticated to the system can exploit this weakness to read or write to plan data that should normally be restricted to specific users or groups. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw may be present across multiple interfaces or data access points within the application's planning functionality. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1485 for data destruction or manipulation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it allows for potential data corruption and unauthorized modifications that could compromise the integrity of planning information critical to business operations.
The operational implications of CVE-2016-1152 are severe for organizations relying on Cybozu Office for business planning and collaboration. Remote authenticated attackers can access sensitive business planning data, potentially including strategic initiatives, resource allocation plans, or confidential project information that should remain restricted to authorized personnel. The ability to write to plan data introduces additional risks including data tampering, manipulation of critical business information, and potential disruption of business processes that depend on accurate planning data. Organizations may experience operational disruption when unauthorized modifications occur, leading to misaligned business strategies and compromised decision-making processes. The vulnerability affects both read and write operations, meaning attackers can not only access sensitive information but also alter it, potentially causing cascading effects throughout the organization's planning and operational workflows. This flaw undermines the fundamental security principle of least privilege and can lead to significant financial and reputational damage when exploited.
Organizations affected by CVE-2016-1152 should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of Cybozu Office where available, reviewing and strengthening access control policies, and implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. System administrators should conduct comprehensive access control reviews to identify potential unauthorized access paths and ensure that proper segregation of duties is maintained. Network segmentation and additional authentication layers can provide defense-in-depth protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes, as it represents a failure in the application's authorization framework that could have been identified through proper security testing. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around planning data access and modification activities. Given the nature of the vulnerability, regular security training for administrators and users regarding proper access control practices remains essential to prevent exploitation through social engineering or credential compromise attacks.