CVE-2021-3165 in SmartAgent
Summary
by MITRE • 01/27/2021
SmartAgent 3.1.0 allows a ViewOnly attacker to create a SuperUser account via the /#/CampaignManager/users URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-3165 affects SmartAgent version 3.1.0 and represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that enables unprivileged users to escalate their privileges to superuser level. This vulnerability exists within the application's user management interface, specifically through the /#/CampaignManager/users URI endpoint which lacks proper access controls and authentication checks. The flaw allows an attacker with ViewOnly permissions to manipulate the user creation process and subsequently establish administrative accounts, fundamentally compromising the application's security model and privilege separation mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control enforcement within the web application's routing system. When an attacker accesses the /#/CampaignManager/users URI, they can manipulate the user creation parameters to bypass the standard permission checks that should prevent non-administrative users from creating accounts with elevated privileges. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks where the application fails to verify that the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative rights before permitting account creation operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software systems, and demonstrates how weak access control implementations can lead to privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the SmartAgent environment. Once a SuperUser account is created, the attacker gains unrestricted access to all system functionalities including but not limited to user management, campaign configuration, data access, and system settings. This level of access enables comprehensive data exfiltration, system modification, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require elevated privileges or specialized tools beyond standard web browser capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on SmartAgent for critical operations and security monitoring.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including patching the application to version 3.1.1 or later, which addresses the access control flaw through proper authentication checks and privilege validation. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual account creation patterns and unauthorized administrative access attempts. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced across all user accounts, ensuring that ViewOnly users cannot perform administrative operations. Additionally, regular security assessments should include testing for similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities, particularly focusing on web application routing endpoints and user management interfaces. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive access control testing and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can detect similar access control weaknesses in web applications and ensure that all user interactions with administrative endpoints are properly authenticated and authorized.