CVE-2017-15203 in Kanboard
Summary
by MITRE
In Kanboard before 1.0.47, by altering form data, an authenticated user can remove categories from a private project of another user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
This vulnerability exists in Kanboard version 1.0.46 and earlier, representing a critical access control flaw that allows authenticated users to manipulate project data through form tampering techniques. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and authorization checks within the application's category management system, specifically affecting private project configurations where user isolation should be strictly enforced. An attacker with valid credentials can exploit this weakness by modifying form parameters to remove categories from projects they do not own, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries that should protect private project data from unauthorized modifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic insufficient authorization check pattern, classified as CWE-863, where the application fails to verify that the authenticated user has proper permissions to perform the requested action on the specified resource. The flaw occurs during the category removal process where the application relies on client-side form data without proper server-side validation of ownership or permission levels. This allows malicious actors to manipulate HTTP requests or form submissions to target projects belonging to other users, undermining the fundamental principle of least privilege and user isolation that should govern private project environments.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations relying on Kanboard for project management and collaboration. The ability to remove categories from private projects can lead to data integrity issues, loss of project structure, and potential information disclosure if category removal affects access control or workflow configurations. Attackers could use this vulnerability to disrupt project workflows, remove critical metadata, or potentially gain insights into other users' project configurations by observing category removal patterns. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where sensitive project data is managed through private projects, as it effectively allows lateral movement and unauthorized modification of protected resources.
The exploit requires minimal technical sophistication as it relies on standard form tampering techniques that can be executed through browser developer tools or simple HTTP request modifications. This makes the vulnerability accessible to attackers with basic technical knowledge and increases the potential attack surface significantly. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically related to privilege escalation and unauthorized access techniques. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and authorization checks at every point where user-supplied data influences application behavior, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust server-side validation of user permissions before processing any category removal requests. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Kanboard version 1.0.47 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this authorization flaw. Additional defensive measures include implementing comprehensive logging of category management activities, establishing stricter access control policies, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar authorization vulnerabilities. The fix should ensure that all operations on private project resources require proper ownership verification and that form data cannot be manipulated to bypass intended access controls, thereby restoring the proper security boundaries that protect user data and project integrity.