CVE-2017-12850 in Kanboard
Summary
by MITRE
An authenticated standard user could reset the password of other users (including the admin) by altering form data. Affects kanboard before 1.0.46.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12850 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within the Kanboard project management platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.0.46. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and improper access control mechanisms that allow authenticated users to manipulate form data and execute unauthorized password reset operations against other users within the system. The flaw exists in the password reset functionality where the application fails to properly verify the identity of the user requesting the reset, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and potential system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the web application's form processing logic where user-supplied data is not adequately validated or authenticated before being processed. When a user attempts to reset a password, the system should verify that the requester has legitimate authorization to perform this action for the specified user account. However, the vulnerable implementation allows attackers to modify form parameters such as user identifiers or session tokens, effectively impersonating other users and executing password resets without proper authorization. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-640 category of Weak Password Recovery Mechanism, which directly relates to improper validation of user identity during authentication processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain administrative control over the entire system. Since the vulnerability allows resetting passwords for any user, including administrators, an authenticated attacker can escalate privileges by resetting the admin password and subsequently gaining full control over the Kanboard instance. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on Kanboard for project management and collaboration, as it could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized modifications to project data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the platform, as it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can result in widespread system compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Kanboard version 1.0.46 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the authorization bypass. Additionally, administrators should review and strengthen their access control policies, implement proper session management, and monitor for suspicious password reset activities. The fix typically involves implementing proper user identity verification mechanisms and ensuring that all user account modifications require appropriate authorization checks. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect anomalous password reset patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.