CVE-2017-11422 in Statamic
Summary
by MITRE
Statamic framework before 2.6.0 does not correctly check a session's permissions when the methods from a user's class are called. Problematic methods include reset password, create new account, create new role, etc.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2019
The CVE-2017-11422 vulnerability represents a critical authorization flaw within the Statamic content management framework affecting versions prior to 2.6.0. This vulnerability stems from insufficient session permission validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify user privileges when executing specific methods within the user management class. The flaw creates a pathway for unauthorized access and privilege escalation by allowing malicious actors to invoke sensitive operations without proper authentication or authorization checks. The vulnerability specifically impacts methods related to account management including password reset functionality, account creation, and role creation capabilities, which are fundamental components of any web application's security architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the framework's session handling and access control mechanisms. When users attempt to perform operations such as resetting passwords, creating new accounts, or establishing new user roles, the system fails to validate whether the current session possesses the necessary permissions to execute these actions. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software systems. The flaw essentially allows any authenticated user to potentially perform administrative operations that should be restricted to users with elevated privileges, creating a significant security risk that can lead to complete system compromise.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations using Statamic versions before 2.6.0 to severe security risks including unauthorized account creation, password manipulation, and role assignment. Attackers could exploit this flaw to gain administrative access to the system, potentially leading to data breaches, content tampering, and full system compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate unauthorized access as it undermines the fundamental security model of the application, making it possible for attackers to escalate privileges and maintain persistent access. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the CMS manages sensitive content or user data, as it can result in unauthorized modification of critical system components and data integrity violations.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2017-11422 involves immediate upgrading to Statamic version 2.6.0 or later, which includes proper session permission validation for user management methods. Organizations should also implement comprehensive access control reviews and conduct security assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred before the patch was applied. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect suspicious activities related to user management operations. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege configurations and regular security audits will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application stack. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authorization controls and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to system resources.