CVE-2020-25766 in MISP
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in MISP before 2.4.132. It can perform an unwanted action because of a POST operation on a form that is not linked to the login page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-25766 affects MISP (Malware Information Sharing Platform) versions prior to 2.4.132, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the platform's security model. This issue stems from improper validation of form submission operations within the web application's authentication flow, specifically allowing unauthorized users to manipulate POST requests that should be restricted to authenticated sessions. The flaw exists in the application's form handling mechanism where certain POST operations are not properly verified against the user's login status, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to perform actions that should require valid authentication credentials. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of the MISP platform's access control mechanisms and represents a significant weakening of the security boundaries that protect sensitive threat intelligence data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a weakness in the application's session management and form validation logic where POST requests are processed without adequate authentication checks. When users submit forms through the web interface, the application fails to properly validate whether the request originates from an authenticated session before executing the intended action. This allows attackers to craft malicious POST requests that bypass normal authentication requirements, potentially enabling them to modify or create records within the MISP environment. The flaw specifically manifests when form submissions are not properly linked to the login page's authentication context, creating a scenario where the application processes sensitive operations without verifying the user's credentials. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which describes Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities where applications fail to validate the authenticity of requests, and also relates to CWE-285, which covers improper authorization in authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-25766 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate threat intelligence data within the MISP environment, potentially compromising the integrity of security information and event management systems. Organizations utilizing MISP for threat intelligence sharing and incident response could face severe consequences including data manipulation, unauthorized additions to threat feeds, or the creation of false positive alerts that could mislead security operations teams. The vulnerability particularly affects collaborative security environments where multiple users share access to threat intelligence databases, as unauthorized modifications could go undetected for extended periods. Attackers could exploit this flaw to inject malicious indicators of compromise, alter existing threat data, or create false reports that would impact the security posture of organizations relying on the platform's intelligence. The implications are especially concerning in environments where MISP serves as a central repository for critical security information, as the integrity of the threat intelligence data directly affects the effectiveness of defensive measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-25766 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch for MISP version 2.4.132 and subsequent releases that address the authentication validation flaw. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred before applying the patch, particularly focusing on audit logs for unauthorized form submissions or suspicious activity patterns. The recommended approach includes implementing robust input validation for all POST operations, ensuring that each form submission is properly authenticated against the user's session context before execution. Security teams should also review and strengthen their web application firewall rules to monitor and block suspicious form submission patterns, while implementing additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication for critical administrative functions. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper session management and authentication verification in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1548.003 which covers abuse of service accounts and T1078.004 which addresses valid accounts used for lateral movement. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring for unauthorized form submissions and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing potential exploitation of authentication bypass vulnerabilities in threat intelligence platforms.