CVE-2017-15202 in Kanboard
Summary
by MITRE
In Kanboard before 1.0.47, by altering form data, an authenticated user can edit columns of a private project of another user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15202 affects Kanboard versions prior to 1.0.47 and represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the application's security model for project management. This issue allows authenticated users to exploit form data manipulation to gain unauthorized access to edit columns within private projects belonging to other users, effectively bypassing the intended project isolation mechanisms. The flaw exists in the application's permission validation logic, where insufficient input sanitization and access control checks fail to properly verify user authorization before processing column modification requests. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture, particularly concerning project-level access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate server-side validation of form data parameters during column editing operations. When an authenticated user attempts to modify a project column, the application fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has legitimate authorization to access and modify the target project. This weakness allows malicious actors to manipulate form fields such as project identifiers or user permissions, enabling them to submit requests that appear to originate from legitimate users while actually targeting resources belonging to other individuals. The flaw operates at the application logic level, where the system trusts user-supplied data without proper validation against the actual project ownership and user permissions. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and specifically manifests as an authorization bypass through manipulation of form data. The vulnerability can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which involves valid accounts with privileges, where the manipulation occurs through legitimate user sessions but with unauthorized access to resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to encompass potential data exposure, privacy violations, and unauthorized modifications to critical project information. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive project data, modify column structures, alter project timelines, or manipulate task assignments within private projects, potentially affecting business operations and confidentiality. The implications are particularly severe for organizations relying on Kanboard for sensitive project management where private project isolation is paramount for maintaining competitive advantages and protecting proprietary information. The vulnerability affects all private project functionality within the application, making it a systemic security issue rather than an isolated incident. Organizations using affected versions of Kanboard are at risk of unauthorized access to confidential project information, which could lead to competitive disadvantages, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences. The impact is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, as it relies on standard form manipulation techniques that are commonly understood by attackers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15202 involve immediate patching of affected Kanboard installations to version 1.0.47 or later, which includes proper access control validation and input sanitization measures. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as regular security audits of web application logic, enhanced input validation procedures, and comprehensive access control testing. The fix implemented in the patched version addresses the root cause by ensuring that all project modification requests undergo proper authorization checks against the authenticated user's permissions and project ownership. Security teams should conduct thorough penetration testing to verify that similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities do not exist in other parts of the application, particularly in areas involving project-level operations. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious form data manipulation attempts, establishing proper logging and monitoring of project modification activities, and conducting regular security training for development teams to prevent similar issues in future implementations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of server-side validation and proper access control implementation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive project management data.