CVE-2017-15196 in Kanboard
Summary
by MITRE
In Kanboard before 1.0.47, by altering form data, an authenticated user can remove columns from a private project of another user.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-15196 represents a critical access control flaw within the Kanboard project management platform affecting versions prior to 1.0.47. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and authorization checks within the application's form processing mechanisms, allowing authenticated users to manipulate form data and execute unauthorized actions against projects belonging to other users. The vulnerability specifically targets the column management functionality, enabling malicious actors to remove columns from private projects, thereby compromising the integrity and confidentiality of project data.
This technical flaw operates through a classic form tampering attack vector where an authenticated user leverages their session to modify form parameters that control column deletion operations. The vulnerability occurs because the application fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has legitimate authorization to perform column removal actions on the target project. The lack of proper access control validation means that even though the user is authenticated, the system does not confirm that they own or have appropriate permissions for the specific project they are attempting to modify. This represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input sanitization practices within the web application's backend processing logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of private project isolation that Kanboard provides. When an authenticated user can remove columns from another user's private project, they effectively gain the ability to disrupt project workflows, delete critical information, and potentially compromise sensitive project data. This vulnerability enables a form of privilege escalation where a user can perform actions on behalf of another user without proper authorization, creating a significant risk for collaborative environments where multiple users share a single instance. The damage potential is particularly concerning in enterprise settings where project confidentiality and data integrity are paramount, as it allows for unauthorized modification of project structures that could affect business processes, timelines, and stakeholder communications.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a failure in the application's authorization mechanisms. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 (Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts) as it exploits legitimate user credentials to perform unauthorized actions. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of input validation failures that could potentially be exploited in broader attack chains, particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities or when users have access to multiple projects within the same system. Organizations using affected versions of Kanboard should immediately implement security patches to address this issue and review their access control policies to ensure proper segregation of project data. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and authorization checks in web applications, particularly those handling collaborative project data where user isolation is essential for maintaining security boundaries and protecting sensitive information.