CVE-2020-28872 in Monitorr
Summary
by MITRE • 04/12/2021
An authorization bypass vulnerability in Monitorr v1.7.6m in Monitorr/assets/config/_installation/_register.php allows an unauthorized person to create valid credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-28872 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within Monitorr version 1.7.6m, specifically within the file assets/config/_installation/_register.php. This issue allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit a weakness in the application's authentication mechanism, enabling them to create valid user credentials without proper authorization. The flaw exists in the registration process that should typically require administrative approval or verification before new accounts can be established, but instead permits arbitrary account creation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-863, which describes "Incorrect Authorization" where an application fails to properly verify that an operation is authorized. This particular implementation flaw stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the registration script. The _register.php file likely lacks proper authentication checks before processing new user registration requests, allowing attackers to submit registration data directly through the web interface or API endpoints without requiring legitimate administrative credentials or tokens.
From an operational perspective, this authorization bypass creates significant security implications for systems running Monitorr v1.7.6m. An attacker who gains access to the application's registration endpoint can immediately establish accounts with potentially elevated privileges, depending on the default role assignments. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and enables potential lateral movement within the system. The impact extends beyond simple account creation as unauthorized users could potentially gain access to sensitive monitoring data, system configurations, or administrative functions that are typically restricted to authorized personnel.
The attack vector for this vulnerability typically involves direct interaction with the Monitorr application's web interface or API endpoints that handle user registration. Attackers can craft HTTP requests to the _register.php endpoint, submitting registration parameters that bypass normal authentication flows. This issue is particularly concerning because it affects the core authentication infrastructure of the application, making it a prime target for initial access exploitation. The vulnerability can be exploited by anyone with network access to the Monitorr application, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application is exposed to untrusted networks or the internet.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to a patched version of Monitorr that addresses this authorization bypass vulnerability. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patch that properly validates authentication requirements before processing registration requests. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the Monitorr application to unauthorized users. Additionally, monitoring for unauthorized registration attempts and implementing rate limiting on registration endpoints can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include reviewing existing user accounts and removing any unauthorized users that may have been created through this vulnerability. Security teams should consider implementing additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication and regular access reviews to maintain defense in depth. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework's authorization categories, particularly focusing on techniques that involve privilege escalation and unauthorized access to system resources.