CVE-2017-15197 in Kanboard
Summary
by MITRE
In Kanboard before 1.0.47, by altering form data, an authenticated user can add a new category to a private project of another user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15197 represents a critical access control flaw within the Kanboard project management platform prior to version 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 gain unauthorized access to private project resources. The vulnerability specifically targets the category creation functionality, enabling malicious actors to add new categories to projects they do not own or have explicit permissions for.
This security weakness manifests through improper validation of user inputs during form submissions, particularly in the category management component of the application. When users submit form data to create new categories, the system fails to properly verify whether the authenticated user has legitimate authorization to modify the target project. The flaw allows attackers to alter form parameters such as project identifiers or ownership references, effectively bypassing the intended access controls that should prevent users from modifying private projects belonging to other individuals. This represents a classic example of insecure direct object reference vulnerability where the application fails to validate the user's authorization before processing the requested action.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it fundamentally undermines the confidentiality and integrity of private project data within the Kanboard environment. An authenticated attacker can leverage this flaw to inject malicious categories into private projects, potentially disrupting project workflows, introducing unauthorized data elements, or even creating backdoors through carefully crafted category names and descriptions. The vulnerability affects the core privilege escalation mechanisms within the application, allowing users to perform actions that should be restricted to project owners or administrators. This type of flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to significant data exposure, particularly in environments where multiple users collaborate on sensitive projects with varying permission levels.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1484 for cloud service roles and permissions. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation gaps can result in significant privilege escalation capabilities, particularly when combined with the application's existing authentication mechanisms. Organizations using affected versions of Kanboard should prioritize immediate remediation through the available security patches, as the vulnerability can be exploited by any authenticated user with basic access to the platform. The security implications extend to potential data leakage, project integrity compromise, and unauthorized modifications to private project configurations that could impact business operations and compliance requirements.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing robust input validation and authorization checks at multiple layers within the application architecture, ensuring that all form submissions are properly authenticated and authorized before processing. System administrators should immediately upgrade to Kanboard version 1.0.47 or later, which includes proper access control enforcement for category creation operations. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious form data patterns, conducting regular security audits of form processing components, and establishing proper logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also review their user permission models to ensure that appropriate access controls are in place and that users cannot perform actions beyond their designated privileges. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and authorization checks in preventing unauthorized access to sensitive resources within collaborative platforms and project management systems.