CVE-2019-16183 in LimeSurvey
Summary
by MITRE
In Limesurvey before 3.17.14, admin users can run an integrity check without proper permissions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16183 affects Limesurvey versions prior to 3.17.14 and represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of the application. This issue specifically targets the integrity check functionality within the administrative interface, where unauthorized users or attackers with limited privileges can potentially execute administrative operations that should be restricted to privileged personnel only. The flaw exists in the permission validation mechanisms that govern access to critical system maintenance functions, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized system manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks within the integrity check module of Limesurvey's administrative framework. When administrators attempt to perform system integrity verification, the application fails to properly validate whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative privileges. This weakness allows malicious actors or compromised accounts with lower-level permissions to trigger the integrity check process, potentially exposing sensitive system information, manipulating configuration settings, or gaining unauthorized access to system resources that should remain protected. The flaw operates at the application logic level, where the security controls are bypassed through improper access control validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to compromise the entire Limesurvey deployment and potentially gain access to sensitive survey data, user information, and system configurations. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could perform unauthorized system modifications, access restricted administrative functions, and potentially establish persistent access to the platform. This weakness is particularly concerning in environments where Limesurvey is used to collect sensitive data through surveys, as the compromise of administrative functions could lead to data breaches, unauthorized data manipulation, or complete system takeover. The vulnerability affects the principle of least privilege and violates fundamental security concepts that should prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions.
Organizations utilizing Limesurvey versions prior to 3.17.14 should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves upgrading to Limesurvey version 3.17.14 or later, which includes proper authorization checks for the integrity check functionality. Additionally, administrators should review and tighten access controls for administrative accounts, implement multi-factor authentication, and conduct regular security audits of the application's access control mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring of administrative activities can provide additional layers of defense. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and represents a specific implementation of the broader ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the upgrade does not introduce regressions in functionality while maintaining the enhanced security controls that prevent unauthorized access to administrative features.