CVE-2017-12851 in Kanboard
Summary
by MITRE
An authenticated standard user could reset the password of 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-2017-12851 represents a critical access control 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 to escalate their privileges. The vulnerability exists in the password reset functionality where the application fails to properly verify the identity and authorization level of users attempting to reset administrative credentials. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper authentication enforcement, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a lack of proper parameter validation within the password reset endpoint. When an authenticated user attempts to reset a password, the application relies on form data that can be easily modified by attackers who have access to the user interface. The flaw occurs because the system does not validate whether the user attempting the password reset has the appropriate authorization level or if the target user account is indeed an administrator. This allows a standard user to alter form parameters to target admin accounts, bypassing the normal authentication and authorization checks that should prevent such actions. The vulnerability falls under CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software applications, and specifically relates to the improper enforcement of access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using affected versions of Kanboard. An authenticated attacker with standard user privileges can gain full administrative control over the platform, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This includes the ability to modify project configurations, access sensitive project data, manipulate user permissions, and potentially use the administrative account to pivot to other systems within the network. The attack requires minimal technical skill and can be executed through standard web browser manipulation techniques, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the platform. Organizations may experience data breaches, unauthorized access to confidential project information, and potential compliance violations depending on their regulatory requirements.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through upgrading to Kanboard version 1.0.46 or later, which includes proper access control validation for password reset functions. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring for unusual password reset activities and implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts. The fix should incorporate proper input validation and authorization checks that ensure only authorized users can perform administrative actions, particularly those involving privilege escalation. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of similar access control mechanisms throughout the application to identify and remediate other potential privilege escalation vectors. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing robust access control validation and proper authorization checks in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1548.001 for abuse of privileges, which are commonly exploited in such scenarios where insufficient access controls allow unauthorized privilege escalation.