CVE-2020-29538 in Archer
Summary
by MITRE • 01/29/2021
Archer before 6.9 P1 (6.9.0.1) contains an improper access control vulnerability in an API. A remote authenticated malicious administrative user can potentially exploit this vulnerability to gather information about the system, and may use this information in subsequent attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-29538 represents a critical improper access control flaw within the Archer platform prior to version 6.9 P1. This issue manifests within the application programming interface where administrative users can exploit weak authorization mechanisms to access restricted system information. The vulnerability specifically affects the API endpoints that handle administrative functions, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal access controls and gather sensitive system data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of administrative privileges within the API layer. When authenticated administrative users make requests to specific API endpoints, the system fails to properly verify that the requesting user possesses the appropriate level of authorization for the requested operation. This misconfiguration allows attackers to manipulate API requests and access information that should be restricted to higher-privilege users. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires authentication credentials to exploit, making it a privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a simple authentication bypass.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations using Archer platforms. The information disclosure aspect allows attackers to gather system metadata, user configurations, and potentially sensitive operational data that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. Attackers could use the gathered intelligence to map the system architecture, identify potential attack vectors, and plan more sophisticated exploitation attempts. The vulnerability particularly impacts organizations that rely on Archer for business process management and workflow automation, where the disclosed information could reveal critical business processes and system dependencies.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues within software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1087 for account discovery. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Archer version 6.9 P1 or later, implementing additional API monitoring, and conducting thorough access control reviews. Network segmentation and API request logging should be enhanced to detect anomalous access patterns. Security teams should also review administrative user permissions and implement principle of least privilege controls to minimize the impact of potential exploitation.
The root cause of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation in enterprise applications. Organizations should establish robust authorization frameworks that validate user privileges at every API endpoint and maintain comprehensive audit trails of administrative activities. Regular security assessments of API implementations and continuous monitoring of access patterns are essential practices to prevent similar issues from occurring in other enterprise applications. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for security controls that protect administrative interfaces from both internal and external threats.