CVE-2018-20301 in Coherence
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Steve Pallen Coherence before 0.5.2 that is similar to a Mass Assignment vulnerability. In particular, "registration" endpoints (e.g., creating, editing, updating) allow users to update any coherence_fields data. For example, users can automatically confirm their accounts by sending the confirmed_at parameter with their registration request.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20301 represents a critical mass assignment flaw in the Coherence web application framework prior to version 0.5.2. This type of vulnerability occurs when an application accepts user input that should be restricted and allows it to directly modify internal data structures or parameters that control application behavior. The issue specifically affects the registration endpoints where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming parameters before processing them. The vulnerability stems from the application's lack of proper input filtering mechanisms that should prevent users from manipulating sensitive parameters during account creation or modification processes.
The technical flaw manifests when users can submit arbitrary parameters through registration requests that directly influence the application's internal state. In this case, attackers can manipulate the confirmed_at parameter to automatically confirm their accounts without proper authorization or verification processes. This mass assignment vulnerability allows unauthorized modification of application data structures that should only be accessible through legitimate administrative or verification workflows. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to bypass account confirmation mechanisms entirely, potentially allowing them to gain immediate access to user accounts without going through normal authentication procedures. This flaw falls under CWE-915 which specifically addresses improper control of a resource through mechanism manipulation, and more broadly aligns with CWE-471 which covers the assignment of a control variable to an untrusted value without proper validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account confirmation bypass. Attackers can potentially manipulate other sensitive fields within the coherence_fields data structure, leading to unauthorized access to privileged features or data modification capabilities. The vulnerability creates a pathway for account takeover attacks, where malicious actors can automatically confirm their accounts and then proceed with further exploitation. This type of vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where users might be able to modify their own permissions or those of other users. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it attractive to threat actors who may not possess advanced penetration testing skills. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1068 which covers additional privileges, as it allows for unauthorized access and privilege manipulation through legitimate registration workflows.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the root cause through proper input validation and parameter filtering mechanisms. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter whitelisting where only explicitly allowed parameters are processed during registration operations, while all other parameters are rejected or ignored. Application developers should enforce proper access controls and ensure that sensitive parameters like confirmed_at are only modified through authenticated administrative interfaces or legitimate verification processes. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input sanitization and validation routines can prevent malicious parameters from being processed. Organizations should also consider implementing rate limiting and monitoring mechanisms to detect unusual registration patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The framework should be updated to version 0.5.2 or later where this vulnerability has been patched, and security reviews should include assessment of similar mass assignment vulnerabilities in other application components. Regular security testing including penetration testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.