CVE-2019-12902 in Cells
Summary
by MITRE
Pydio Cells before 1.5.0 does incomplete cleanup of a user's data upon deletion. This allows a new user, holding the same User ID as a deleted user, to restore the deleted user's data.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12902 affects Pydio Cells versions prior to 1.5.0 and represents a critical data exposure issue stemming from inadequate data cleanup procedures during user deletion operations. This flaw creates a persistent security gap where deleted user data remains accessible to subsequent users who are assigned the same user identifier, fundamentally undermining the system's data isolation and access control mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the core of user management and data lifecycle handling within the Pydio Cells platform, which is designed for enterprise file sharing and collaboration environments.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the incomplete removal of user-specific data when a user account is deleted from the system. While the user account itself may be marked as inactive or removed from the user directory, the underlying data files, metadata, and associated resources remain in the storage layer without proper sanitization. This incomplete cleanup process creates a scenario where the storage space and file references associated with the deleted user's account are not properly released or secured. When a new user is subsequently created with the identical user ID, the system fails to properly initialize or secure the previously allocated storage space, allowing the new user to access the remnants of the deleted user's data through normal operational procedures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage to encompass potential data integrity and privacy violations within enterprise environments. Attackers or malicious actors could exploit this weakness by creating accounts with specific user IDs to gain access to sensitive information belonging to previous users, potentially including confidential documents, personal data, or proprietary business information. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles of data isolation and access control, as demonstrated by the corresponding CWE-200 weakness classification for exposure of sensitive information. The attack surface is particularly concerning in regulated environments where data protection compliance requirements mandate proper data disposal and access control mechanisms.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1021.001 for remote services, as it enables unauthorized access through legitimate user account mechanisms. Organizations utilizing Pydio Cells in production environments face significant risks including potential data breaches, compliance violations, and reputational damage when this vulnerability remains unaddressed. The flaw represents a failure in proper data lifecycle management and demonstrates the critical importance of implementing comprehensive cleanup procedures during user account termination. Mitigation strategies should include immediate upgrade to Pydio Cells version 1.5.0 or later, implementation of proper data sanitization protocols, and regular security audits of user management and data deletion processes to ensure complete removal of user-associated resources from the system infrastructure.