CVE-2017-5212 in OX App Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Open-Xchange GmbH OX App Suite 7.8.3 is affected by: Incorrect Access Control.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5212 affects Open-Xchange GmbH OX App Suite version 7.8.3 and represents a critical incorrect access control flaw that could potentially allow unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges within the application environment. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of access control weaknesses that can undermine the fundamental security posture of enterprise collaboration platforms. The issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the application's permission system, creating potential pathways for privilege escalation attacks. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in enterprise environments where collaboration platforms serve as central hubs for business communications and data management, making them attractive targets for malicious actors seeking to compromise sensitive organizational information. The vulnerability directly impacts the application's ability to enforce proper authorization controls, potentially allowing attackers to bypass intended security boundaries.
The technical flaw manifests through inadequate validation of user permissions and access rights within the OX App Suite application framework. This incorrect access control implementation likely occurs at the application logic level where user authentication tokens or session identifiers are not properly verified against the appropriate access control lists or role-based permissions. The vulnerability could be exploited through manipulation of request parameters, session tokens, or direct API calls that should normally be restricted to authorized users with specific privileges. Attackers may leverage this weakness to access restricted functionalities, view confidential data, or perform administrative operations that should be limited to privileged users. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The flaw represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement, where users can potentially access resources beyond their intended authorization levels.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5212 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling comprehensive system compromise within the affected enterprise environment. Organizations utilizing OX App Suite as their primary collaboration platform face significant risk of data breaches, insider threats, and potential lateral movement attacks once an attacker successfully exploits this access control flaw. The vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges from standard user accounts to administrative levels, providing complete control over user management, data access, and system configuration. This type of privilege escalation capability creates opportunities for persistent threats and long-term unauthorized access to sensitive business information. The impact is particularly severe given that OX App Suite serves as a comprehensive business collaboration platform that typically contains email, calendar, contact management, and file sharing functionalities, all of which could be compromised. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK technique T1078 which addresses valid accounts and legitimate credentials usage as a means of gaining access to systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to protect their enterprise collaboration environments. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available, as these will address the underlying access control implementation flaws. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should implement strict access control policies and regularly audit user permissions to ensure that the principle of least privilege is maintained. Configuration reviews should focus on validating that all authentication and authorization mechanisms are properly enforced within the application. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication, enhanced session management, and regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched environment to ensure that legitimate user access continues to function properly while unauthorized access attempts are properly blocked. This vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the critical need for regular vulnerability assessments in enterprise collaboration platforms.