CVE-2019-12890 in RedwoodHQ
Summary
by MITRE
RedwoodHQ 2.5.5 does not require any authentication for database operations, which allows remote attackers to create admin users via a con.automationframework users insert_one call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12890 affects RedwoodHQ version 2.5.5 and represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of the application. This issue stems from the application's failure to implement proper authentication mechanisms for database operations, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute administrative actions. The vulnerability specifically enables attackers to create administrative user accounts through a direct database insertion call using the con.automationframework users insert_one interface, effectively granting them elevated privileges within the system.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of authentication validation at the database interaction layer, which is classified under CWE-287 - Improper Authentication. This weakness allows attackers to bypass the normal authentication process and directly manipulate the database through exposed interfaces. The con.automationframework users insert_one call serves as the attack vector, providing a direct pathway for malicious actors to inject administrative user records into the system's database without requiring valid credentials. This represents a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture where database operations are not properly secured against unauthorized access attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with immediate administrative control over the affected system. Once an attacker successfully creates an administrative user account, they gain full access to system resources, can modify or delete data, and can potentially escalate their privileges further within the network. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 - Valid Accounts, as it allows adversaries to establish persistent access through legitimate administrative accounts created via the vulnerable interface. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access or prior network presence.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust authentication controls at all database interaction points within the application. The primary fix involves enforcing proper authentication mechanisms before allowing any database operations to proceed, ensuring that all administrative actions require valid credentials and appropriate authorization levels. Organizations should implement role-based access controls and regularly audit database access patterns to detect unauthorized activities. Additionally, the application should be updated to a version that properly secures database operations and prevents direct insertion of user records without proper authentication. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and alert on suspicious database access patterns, while regular security assessments should verify that all database interfaces properly enforce authentication requirements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in the system's architecture.