CVE-2019-16716 in OX App Suite
Summary
by MITRE
OX App Suite through 7.10.2 has Incorrect Access Control.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16716 affects OX App Suite versions up to 7.10.2 and represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the application's security model. This issue stems from insufficient validation of user permissions and session management mechanisms within the platform's authentication framework. The vulnerability allows authenticated users to potentially access resources and functionality that should be restricted to specific user roles or privileges, creating a significant escalation of privileges risk within the application environment.
Technical analysis reveals that the flaw manifests through improper authorization checks during API requests and web interface interactions. The application fails to adequately verify user credentials against expected permission levels when processing sensitive operations or accessing restricted data sets. This weakness enables malicious actors who have gained initial access to the system to exploit the flawed access control logic and gain unauthorized access to other users' data, administrative functions, or system resources. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through both web browser interfaces and direct API calls, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the application's security architecture. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform actions such as viewing confidential user information, modifying data belonging to other users, accessing administrative controls, and potentially establishing persistent access within the system. The affected environment typically includes organizations relying on OX App Suite for email, calendar, and collaboration services, where unauthorized access could result in significant data breaches and compliance violations. Organizations using this platform may face regulatory penalties and reputational damage if exploited successfully.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch application to the latest available version of OX App Suite that addresses this access control vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring and logging of access patterns to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and strict firewall rules can help limit the blast radius if the vulnerability is successfully exploited. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization issues, and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all users have appropriate access controls based on their roles and responsibilities.