CVE-2020-24982 in ExpressDashboard
Summary
by MITRE • 03/16/2021
An issue was discovered in Quadbase ExpressDashboard (EDAB) 7 Update 9. It allows CSRF. An attacker may be able to trick an authenticated user into changing the email address associated with their account.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-24982 affects Quadbase ExpressDashboard (EDAB) version 7 Update 9, representing a critical cross-site request forgery flaw that undermines the application's security posture. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities that enable attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The flaw exists within the web application's authentication and session management mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit user trust and manipulate account settings without proper authorization.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper request validation mechanisms within the email address modification functionality. When an authenticated user accesses the application's email update feature, the system fails to implement anti-CSRF tokens or other protective measures that would verify the request originates from the legitimate user interface rather than a malicious third-party site. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious web pages or emails containing embedded requests that, when clicked by an authenticated user, execute the email address change operation without the user's knowledge or consent. The vulnerability specifically targets the account management functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it enables attackers to potentially gain control over user accounts or redirect communications to malicious addresses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account manipulation, creating significant risks for both individual users and the organization operating the ExpressDashboard system. An attacker could leverage this flaw to redirect account notifications, compromise user access, or potentially use the changed email address for further social engineering attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, as it only necessitates the creation of a malicious web page that triggers the legitimate update functionality. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently click on links or visit untrusted websites, as the attack can be executed through simple phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The security implications are exacerbated by the fact that email address changes often serve as a primary recovery mechanism for account access, potentially enabling attackers to lock out legitimate users or assume their identity within the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-24982 should prioritize immediate implementation of anti-CSRF token mechanisms within all user-facing web forms, particularly those involving account modifications. The most effective approach involves generating unique, unpredictable tokens for each user session and requiring their validation before processing any state-changing requests. Organizations should also implement proper referer header validation and implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the sources from which requests can originate. Additionally, the application should enforce strict session management practices including secure cookie attributes, proper session timeout mechanisms, and regular session invalidation upon logout. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential CSRF vulnerabilities within the application, as this flaw may indicate broader issues with request validation. The remediation process should include immediate patching of the ExpressDashboard application to version 7 Update 10 or later, which should contain the necessary CSRF protection mechanisms. Regular security testing, including automated scanning and manual penetration testing, should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about CSRF threats and encourage users to avoid clicking suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites while logged into sensitive applications.