CVE-2021-36758 in Connect Server
Summary
by MITRE • 07/16/2021
1Password Connect server before 1.2 is missing validation checks, permitting users to create Secrets Automation access tokens that can be used to perform privilege escalation. Malicious users authorized to create Secrets Automation access tokens can create tokens that have access beyond what the user is authorized to access, but limited to the existing authorizations of the Secret Automation the token is created in.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-36758 affects 1Password Connect server versions prior to 1.2, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of secrets management infrastructure. This issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the Secrets Automation token creation process, creating a pathway for privilege escalation that directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control enforcement. The vulnerability specifically targets the authorization boundaries within 1Password's secrets automation framework, where proper validation checks are absent during token generation, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model.
The technical flaw manifests in the absence of proper authorization validation when creating Secrets Automation access tokens, creating a scenario where users can manipulate token creation parameters to obtain elevated access rights. This vulnerability operates through a classic privilege escalation vector where authorized users leverage existing permissions to create tokens that exceed their legitimate access scope, though still constrained by the underlying automation authorizations. The flaw effectively creates a bypass mechanism that allows unauthorized elevation of privileges within the secrets management domain, as the system fails to enforce proper access boundaries during token generation. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation and access control implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple access control bypass, as it enables malicious actors to potentially compromise sensitive secrets and automation workflows within the 1Password environment. Attackers who gain the ability to create Secrets Automation access tokens can escalate their privileges to access resources that should be restricted, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized automation execution, and compromise of critical infrastructure components. The limited scope of the privilege escalation means that while tokens cannot access arbitrary systems beyond the automation boundaries, they can still access all resources within the specific automation context, creating a significant risk for organizations that rely heavily on automated secrets management. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a critical gap in the authorization model that undermines the security guarantees of the platform.
Mitigation efforts should focus on immediate patching of 1Password Connect server to version 1.2 or later, which implements the missing validation checks necessary to prevent unauthorized token creation with elevated privileges. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive audits of existing Secrets Automation tokens to identify and revoke any potentially compromised access credentials. Additionally, implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms around token creation events can help detect anomalous activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the root cause by enforcing proper authorization validation during token creation, ensuring that generated tokens cannot exceed the access permissions of the user creating them or the automation context in which they are generated. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust access control validation in security-critical systems and demonstrates the potential consequences of insufficient input validation and authorization checks. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as token lifecycle management, regular access reviews, and enhanced monitoring of secrets automation activities to further reduce the risk exposure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the execution of unauthorized processes with elevated permissions within the secrets management domain.