CVE-2017-15206 in Kanboard
Summary
by MITRE
In Kanboard before 1.0.47, by altering form data, an authenticated user can add an internal link to a private project of another user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15206 affects Kanboard versions prior to 1.0.47, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the application's security model for project isolation. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and authorization checks within the form processing mechanisms, allowing authenticated users to manipulate form data to gain unauthorized access to private project content. The vulnerability specifically targets the internal link functionality, which serves as a mechanism for users to reference and navigate between different project elements within the Kanboard ecosystem. When an authenticated user alters form data during the internal link creation process, they can bypass normal access controls and establish connections to private projects belonging to other users, effectively breaking the fundamental security boundary that separates user projects.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits weaknesses in the application's parameter validation and access control enforcement. When users attempt to create internal links, the system should verify that the target project is accessible to the current user and that the user has appropriate permissions to create such links. However, the flawed implementation fails to properly validate the project identifiers and access rights during the form submission process, allowing malicious manipulation of form fields. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference as defined by CWE-639, where the application provides direct access to objects based on user-supplied input without proper authorization checks. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of inadequate input sanitization and insufficient access control validation, creating a path for privilege escalation through data manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the privacy and security model of the Kanboard platform. An authenticated attacker can leverage this weakness to access sensitive project data, including task details, comments, file attachments, and other confidential information belonging to other users. This breach of privacy can lead to significant consequences including intellectual property theft, competitive disadvantage, and violation of data protection regulations. The vulnerability affects all users of affected Kanboard versions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any authenticated user who understands the form manipulation techniques. Organizations relying on Kanboard for project management and collaboration may face serious security implications, especially in environments where sensitive business information is managed through the platform.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Kanboard version 1.0.47 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as this represents the official patch addressing the access control flaw. The mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input validation and authorization checks at multiple levels within the application's form processing pipeline. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to ensure no other similar access control issues exist within the platform, particularly focusing on areas where user input directly influences object references and access permissions. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring and logging of internal link creation activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include reviewing and strengthening the application's authorization mechanisms, ensuring that all object references are validated against the current user's access rights before any operations are performed. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper access control measures as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing that authentication alone is insufficient without proper authorization enforcement.