CVE-2016-9286 in Exponent
Summary
by MITRE
framework/modules/users/controllers/usersController.php in Exponent CMS v2.4.0patch1 does not properly restrict access to user records, which allows remote attackers to read address information, as demonstrated by an address/show/id/1 URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9286 resides within the Exponent CMS v2.4.0patch1 framework, specifically in the users controller module. This flaw represents a critical access control bypass that enables remote attackers to obtain sensitive user information through improper authorization checks. The vulnerability manifests in the framework/modules/users/controllers/usersController.php file where the system fails to validate user permissions before exposing user records, creating a pathway for unauthorized data retrieval. The specific attack vector demonstrates how an attacker can access address information by simply navigating to the address/show/id/1 URI endpoint, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect user privacy.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and falls under the broader category of access control flaws that have been consistently identified as critical security weaknesses in web applications. The flaw operates as an authorization bypass where the application does not properly enforce access restrictions, allowing any remote user to retrieve user data without proper authentication. The security implications extend beyond simple address information disclosure, as this type of vulnerability often serves as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness to build comprehensive user profiles, potentially enabling social engineering attacks, credential stuffing, or further exploitation attempts against other system components.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9286 is significant for any organization utilizing Exponent CMS v2.4.0patch1, as it creates an immediate risk of user data exposure. The vulnerability allows attackers to enumerate user records systematically by modifying the ID parameter in the URI, potentially leading to mass data exposure across the entire user base. This type of information disclosure can result in privacy violations, regulatory compliance issues, and reputational damage. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213, which covers data from information repositories, as attackers can systematically harvest user information through the exposed API endpoints. Organizations may face legal consequences under data protection regulations such as GDPR or CCPA if user personal information is compromised through such vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and authorization checks within the application framework. The most effective immediate solution involves adding comprehensive permission validation before any user data is returned by the controller, ensuring that only authenticated users with appropriate privileges can access specific user records. Organizations should also implement input validation and parameter sanitization to prevent attackers from manipulating URI parameters to access unauthorized data. Additional security measures include implementing rate limiting to prevent systematic enumeration attacks, logging all access attempts to user records for monitoring purposes, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar authorization flaws. The fix should align with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, emphasizing the importance of defense in depth and principle of least privilege in web application security design.