CVE-2017-15204 in Kanboard
Summary
by MITRE
In Kanboard before 1.0.47, by altering form data, an authenticated user can add automatic actions to a private project of another user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2017-15204 represents a critical access control flaw in Kanboard version 1.0.46 and earlier, where authenticated users can manipulate form data to execute unauthorized actions on private projects belonging to other users. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and inadequate authorization checks within the application's automatic action handling mechanism. The flaw allows malicious actors with valid credentials to exploit the system's trust model by modifying form parameters, thereby gaining unauthorized access to project management functionalities that should be restricted to project owners or authorized personnel only. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and violates fundamental security concepts surrounding data isolation and access control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through parameter manipulation within the web application's form submission process. When users submit forms to add automatic actions to projects, the application fails to properly verify whether the authenticated user has legitimate access rights to the target project. The system relies on client-side form data that can be modified without proper server-side validation, enabling attackers to change project identifiers or user ownership fields. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control, and represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization combined with weak authorization mechanisms. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web application penetration testing techniques, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share a single Kanboard instance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access violations, as it enables potential lateral movement and privilege escalation within the application. An attacker could potentially manipulate automatic actions to trigger unauthorized notifications, modify project workflows, or even execute malicious code through compromised project automation features. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of project data by allowing unauthorized modifications to private project configurations. Organizations using Kanboard for collaborative project management could face significant security implications, including unauthorized project tampering, data leakage, and potential compromise of sensitive business information. This vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistence within the system through automated action chains that they can control, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1059 for command and scripting interpreters.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15204 require immediate implementation of proper server-side validation and authorization checks. Organizations should upgrade to Kanboard version 1.0.47 or later, which includes patched validation mechanisms that properly verify user permissions before allowing automatic action creation. The system must implement robust input validation that cannot be bypassed through form parameter manipulation, ensuring that all project-related operations verify both the authenticated user's identity and their explicit authorization to modify the target project. Additional protective measures include implementing proper session management, conducting regular security audits of form handling processes, and establishing monitoring for unusual project modification patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level controls to restrict access to project management functions and deploy intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of defense in depth strategies and the necessity of server-side validation regardless of client-side security measures.