CVE-2017-2165 in GroupSession
Summary
by MITRE
GroupSession versions 4.6.4 and earlier allows remote authenticated attackers to bypass access restrictions to obtain sensitive information such as emails via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
GroupSession version 4.6.4 and earlier contains a critical access control vulnerability that enables remote authenticated attackers to bypass security restrictions and gain unauthorized access to sensitive email data. This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient access control as defined by CWE-284, where the application fails to properly enforce authorization mechanisms for accessing protected resources. The flaw exists in the authentication and authorization framework of the GroupSession platform, specifically within the email access controls that should prevent unauthorized users from viewing confidential communications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of user permissions and session management within the application's core access control logic. Attackers who have legitimate authentication credentials can exploit this weakness to traverse access boundaries and retrieve email content that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This represents a significant escalation of privileges vulnerability that operates at the application layer, allowing malicious actors to bypass the intended security controls that separate different user roles and data access levels. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may manifest through multiple attack paths including but not limited to improper session handling, weak permission checks, or flawed API endpoint access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it directly compromises the confidentiality of sensitive email communications within the GroupSession environment. Organizations relying on this platform for secure communication may experience unauthorized data exposure, potential regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage from data breaches. The vulnerability affects not only individual user accounts but could potentially allow attackers to access large volumes of email data across multiple user accounts within the compromised system. This type of information disclosure vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.001 for Data from Information Repositories, where adversaries extract sensitive data from applications and databases. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust access control mechanisms including proper session management, role-based access controls, and comprehensive input validation. Organizations should immediately update to GroupSession versions 4.7.0 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through improved authorization checks and enhanced session handling. Network segmentation and monitoring of access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and regular security audits of access control configurations will strengthen the overall security posture. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security assessments and prompt patch management to prevent exploitation of known access control weaknesses. Organizations should also consider implementing data loss prevention measures to monitor and control email data flows within their systems, as outlined in security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 control AC-3 for access enforcement and AC-6 for access control enforcement.