CVE-2017-15199 in Kanboard
Summary
by MITRE
In Kanboard before 1.0.47, by altering form data, an authenticated user can edit metadata of a private project of another user, as demonstrated by Name, Email, Identifier, and Description.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15199 represents a critical access control flaw in Kanboard versions prior to 1.0.47 that allows authenticated users to manipulate metadata of private projects belonging to other users. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and authorization checks within the application's project management functionality, creating a privilege escalation scenario where user permissions are improperly enforced. The vulnerability specifically affects the form data handling mechanisms that govern project metadata modifications, enabling malicious actors to alter sensitive project information including Name, Email, Identifier, and Description fields.
This security weakness falls under the CWE-284 access control vulnerability category, specifically manifesting as improper access control due to inadequate authorization checks. The flaw operates at the application logic level where the system fails to verify whether the authenticated user has proper permissions to modify project metadata that belongs to another user. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for metadata tampering rather than complete system compromise, yet the implications extend beyond simple data modification to potentially enable social engineering attacks, data corruption, and unauthorized information disclosure. Attackers can exploit this weakness to manipulate project information, potentially misleading other team members or creating confusion within collaborative environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate data integrity concerns to encompass broader security implications within collaborative project management environments. When an authenticated user can modify private project metadata, it creates opportunities for information manipulation that could undermine trust within development teams and compromise project confidentiality. The vulnerability affects the core project management functionality of Kanboard, which is designed to facilitate secure collaboration among team members while maintaining appropriate access controls. This flaw undermines the fundamental security model of the application, where private projects are expected to remain protected from unauthorized modifications by users outside the project scope.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15199 should focus on implementing robust input validation and comprehensive authorization checks within the application's form processing logic. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Kanboard version 1.0.47 or later, which includes the necessary patches to address this access control vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should review and enforce proper access control policies, ensuring that user permissions are strictly enforced at every interaction point within the application. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 legitimate credentials for maintaining persistent access and T1566 credential stuffing, as it exploits legitimate user authentication to gain unauthorized access to project resources. Security teams should also implement monitoring for unauthorized metadata modifications and establish proper audit logging to detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix implemented in the patched version demonstrates proper input validation and authorization verification that prevents unauthorized users from modifying project data they do not own, thereby restoring the intended security boundaries within the application's access control model.