CVE-2021-33334 in Liferay
Summary
by MITRE • 08/04/2021
The Dynamic Data Mapping module in Liferay Portal 7.0.0 through 7.3.2, and Liferay DXP 7.0 before fix pack 94, 7.1 before fix pack 19, and 7.2 before fix pack 6, does not properly check user permissions, which allows remote attackers with the forms "Access in Site Administration" permission to view all forms and form entries in a site via the forms section in site administration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-33334 resides within the Dynamic Data Mapping module of Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP platforms, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security boundaries of these enterprise content management systems. This issue affects versions ranging from Liferay Portal 7.0.0 through 7.3.2 and specific DXP versions before their respective fix packs, creating a persistent risk across multiple platform iterations. The flaw manifests in the insufficient validation of user permissions, which directly compromises the principle of least privilege that forms the foundation of secure application design.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate permission checking mechanisms within the forms section of site administration. Attackers who possess the specific "Access in Site Administration" permission can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized visibility into all forms and form entries within a given site, regardless of their actual authorization level. This represents a classic case of improper access control where the system fails to enforce proper authorization boundaries between different user roles and data sets. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the Dynamic Data Mapping functionality that handles form creation, management, and data collection processes within the Liferay ecosystem.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security implications for organizations relying on Liferay platforms for business-critical applications. The unauthorized access to form entries exposes sensitive data that may include personal information, business confidential data, or other protected content that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it enables attackers to potentially identify business processes, gather intelligence about organizational structures, and potentially exploit additional vulnerabilities through the collected form data. This weakness can be leveraged as a stepping stone for further attacks within the compromised environment, aligning with the ATT&CK technique of privilege escalation through access to sensitive data.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and demonstrates how insufficient permission validation can lead to unauthorized access to protected resources. Organizations using affected Liferay versions face potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly under data protection frameworks such as GDPR, CCPA, and similar privacy regulations that mandate proper access controls for sensitive information. The attack vector is remote and does not require authentication beyond what is already granted to the attacker, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without physical access to the system infrastructure. Remediation requires immediate application of the vendor-provided security patches or fix packs, along with comprehensive review of existing user permissions and access controls within the affected platforms.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of proper authorization checking in enterprise applications and demonstrate how seemingly minor permission validation flaws can result in significant data exposure. Security teams should implement monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and conduct thorough audits of form and data access permissions across their Liferay environments. This vulnerability underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches as part of comprehensive cybersecurity governance frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as data loss prevention measures and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such authorization failures in their infrastructure.