CVE-2020-11666 in API Developer Portal
Summary
by MITRE
CA API Developer Portal 4.3.1 and earlier contains an access control flaw that allows malicious users to elevate privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2024
The CA API Developer Portal version 4.3.1 and earlier implementations contain a critical access control vulnerability that enables unauthorized privilege escalation. This flaw exists within the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the platform, allowing malicious actors to bypass existing security controls and gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability represents a fundamental breakdown in the software's security model where proper access controls are not enforced, creating opportunities for unauthorized users to assume administrative or elevated roles within the system. Such a weakness undermines the core security architecture of the API portal and exposes organizations to significant risks.
This access control flaw operates at the application level and can be classified under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control issues. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions and roles during privilege escalation attempts. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests or manipulating session tokens to bypass the normal authentication flow. The flaw likely exists in the way the system handles role-based access control or in the validation logic that determines whether a user can perform privileged operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for privilege elevation without requiring additional authentication factors or credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can gain administrative privileges within the API developer portal, enabling them to modify or delete API configurations, access sensitive developer credentials, manipulate user accounts, and potentially gain access to underlying backend systems. The implications are severe as the API portal often serves as a central hub for API management, developer access, and integration points that may connect to critical enterprise systems. This vulnerability can lead to data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized modification of API endpoints that organizations rely upon for business operations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of the CA API Developer Portal, reviewing and strengthening access control policies, and implementing additional monitoring for suspicious privilege escalation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough access control audits and ensure that proper role-based access controls are enforced throughout the system. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation, enforcing multi-factor authentication for administrative access, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the broader infrastructure that may be vulnerable to similar attack vectors.