CVE-2018-19620 in ShowDoc
Summary
by MITRE
ShowDoc 2.4.1 allows remote attackers to edit other users' notes by navigating with a modified page_id.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2023
CVE-2018-19620 represents a critical access control vulnerability within ShowDoc version 2.4.1 that enables remote attackers to manipulate user permissions and edit content belonging to other users. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper authorization checks within the application's note management system. The flaw specifically manifests when attackers manipulate the page_id parameter in HTTP requests, allowing them to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to arbitrary user notes. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-285: Improper Authorization, which falls within the broader category of access control weaknesses that affect authentication and authorization mechanisms in web applications. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates a classic case of insecure direct object reference where the application fails to verify whether the authenticated user has legitimate access to the requested resource. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web browser interactions or automated tools, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no special privileges or complex attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this weakness to modify, delete, or exfiltrate sensitive information belonging to other users, potentially leading to data breaches, information disclosure, and unauthorized modifications to critical documentation. The impact extends beyond simple data manipulation as it undermines the fundamental security model of the application, potentially enabling attackers to impersonate users or escalate their privileges within the system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078: Valid Accounts, as it allows attackers to leverage existing user accounts to access unauthorized resources, and T1566: Phishing, as it could be exploited through social engineering campaigns targeting legitimate users. The flaw is particularly concerning in environments where ShowDoc serves as a collaborative platform for document management, as it can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of shared information. Organizations using ShowDoc 2.4.1 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, proper access control checks, and parameter sanitization to prevent unauthorized access to user resources. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper authorization controls and validating user permissions for all resource access operations, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten 2017 category A07: Identification and Authentication Failures. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious parameter manipulation patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the need for regular security assessments and patch management processes to ensure that known vulnerabilities are promptly addressed and that applications maintain robust access control mechanisms. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in significant business impact including regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and potential legal consequences due to unauthorized access to sensitive data.