CVE-2017-15212 in Kanboard
Summary
by MITRE
In Kanboard before 1.0.47, by altering form data, an authenticated user can at least see the names of tags of a private project of another user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2017-15212 represents a critical access control flaw in Kanboard version 1.0.46 and earlier, where authenticated users can manipulate form data to gain unauthorized visibility into private project tag names belonging to other users. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and improper access control mechanisms within the application's data handling processes. The vulnerability specifically affects the tag viewing functionality, allowing malicious users to exploit form field manipulation to bypass normal access restrictions and discover sensitive information about private project structures.
This security weakness manifests through improper parameter validation where the application fails to adequately verify user permissions before displaying tag information. The flaw operates at the application logic level, where the system does not properly enforce project-level access controls when processing user requests for tag data. Attackers can manipulate form data to request tag information from private projects, effectively performing unauthorized reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically involving inadequate access control enforcement in web applications. This weakness enables information disclosure through improper privilege management, where users can access data beyond their assigned permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it allows for targeted reconnaissance of private project structures and user activities. An authenticated attacker can systematically discover tag names associated with private projects, potentially identifying sensitive project information, user roles, or organizational structures. This reconnaissance capability can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks, including social engineering, targeted phishing campaigns, or further privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as it compromises the ability to maintain sensitive information within appropriate access boundaries. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort method for gathering intelligence about private project environments, which can be leveraged in subsequent attack phases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15212 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and access control enforcement mechanisms. Organizations should upgrade to Kanboard version 1.0.47 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive access control checks at all data access points, ensuring that user requests are properly authenticated and authorized before any data is returned. The fix typically involves strengthening the backend validation processes to verify that users have appropriate permissions before displaying project-related information, including tag names. Security teams should also conduct regular access control reviews and implement proper logging of data access attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of principle of least privilege implementation and proper input sanitization in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as unauthorized access to project information could facilitate social engineering attacks.