CVE-2018-5377 in DiscuzX
Summary
by MITRE
Discuz! DiscuzX X3.4 allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via the archiver\index.php action parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5377 affects Discuz! DiscuzX version 3.4, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of forums leveraging this software. This issue manifests through the archiver\index.php component where an improperly validated action parameter enables unauthorized users to bypass intended access restrictions. The flaw exists within the software's authentication and authorization mechanisms, specifically targeting how the application processes user requests through the archiver module. This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient access control as defined by CWE-284, where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions for sensitive resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation and sanitization within the archiver\index.php file. Attackers can manipulate the action parameter to gain access to restricted functionality or content that should only be available to authenticated users or administrators. The flaw allows for privilege escalation and unauthorized data access, potentially enabling attackers to view protected forum content, modify user permissions, or access administrative functions without proper authentication. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate security controls within the application's request handling process. The vulnerability can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through legitimate system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling comprehensive compromise of forum data integrity and confidentiality. An attacker exploiting this flaw could access sensitive user information, view private messages, manipulate forum content, or even gain administrative control over the entire platform. The implications are particularly severe for forums containing sensitive discussions or user data, as the vulnerability could lead to data breaches and reputational damage. Organizations relying on DiscuzX for community platforms or business communications face significant risk exposure, as this vulnerability could be exploited to undermine trust in their online presence and potentially violate data protection regulations.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch application from the software vendor, as well as network-level controls to restrict access to the affected component. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameter sanitization for all user-supplied data, particularly within the archiver module. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or attempts to manipulate the action parameter. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other components of the application stack. The remediation process should align with industry best practices for access control and input validation as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection layers against exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.