CVE-2020-15269 in Spree
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2020
In Spree before versions 3.7.11, 4.0.4, or 4.1.11, expired user tokens could be used to access Storefront API v2 endpoints. The issue is patched in versions 3.7.11, 4.0.4 and 4.1.11. A workaround without upgrading is described in the linked advisory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2020-15269 represents a critical authorization flaw within the Spree e-commerce platform that affects multiple version branches including 3.7.x, 4.0.x, and 4.1.x. This issue stems from improper validation of user authentication tokens, specifically allowing expired tokens to maintain access to storefront api v2 endpoints. The vulnerability exists in the authentication and session management mechanisms of the platform's api implementation, creating a persistent security weakness that could be exploited by unauthorized parties. The flaw directly impacts the platform's ability to enforce proper access controls and maintain the integrity of its api endpoints.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the failure to properly validate token expiration timestamps within the authentication flow. When users authenticate to access the storefront api v2, the system generates tokens that should have a defined expiration period. However, the platform's api implementation does not adequately verify that these tokens have not expired before granting access to protected endpoints. This allows attackers who have obtained valid tokens to continue using them beyond their intended expiration time, effectively extending their access privileges. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and session management, which falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows unauthorized access to sensitive storefront api v2 endpoints that may contain customer data, order information, product details, and other confidential business information. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to perform actions such as viewing customer records, modifying product information, accessing order histories, or conducting fraudulent transactions. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once an attacker obtains a valid but expired token, they can continue to leverage it for extended periods without requiring additional authentication. This creates a window of opportunity for data exfiltration, unauthorized modifications, and potential financial losses for affected organizations.
Organizations using affected versions of Spree should immediately upgrade to the patched versions 3.7.11, 4.0.4, or 4.1.11 to resolve the vulnerability. The patch addresses the core issue by implementing proper token expiration validation and ensuring that expired tokens cannot be used to access protected api endpoints. The workaround suggested in the advisory likely involves implementing additional validation checks or modifying the token generation and validation processes to properly enforce expiration times. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring for api access patterns and token usage to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 legitimate credentials, as it exploits valid authentication tokens that remain functional beyond their intended expiration period, allowing attackers to maintain persistent access to the system.