CVE-2021-43498 in ATutor
Summary
by MITRE • 04/08/2022
An Access Control vulnerability exists in ATutor 2.2.4 in password_reminder.php when the g, id, h, form_password_hidden, and form_change HTTP POST parameters are set.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-43498 represents a critical access control flaw within ATutor version 2.2.4, specifically affecting the password_reminder.php component. This weakness stems from insufficient validation of HTTP POST parameters that are typically used during password reset operations. The vulnerable parameters include g, id, h, form_password_hidden, and form_change which when manipulated could potentially allow unauthorized users to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain access to password reset functionality without proper authorization.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically representing an improper access control scenario where the application fails to properly verify user permissions before executing sensitive operations. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the password reminder process by crafting malicious POST requests that include these specific parameter names. When these parameters are set with crafted values, the application may incorrectly assume the user has valid authorization to proceed with password reset operations, effectively creating a backdoor access path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to potentially reset passwords for arbitrary user accounts without proper authentication. This could lead to complete account compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive course materials, and potential data breaches within the learning management system environment. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond sending a specially crafted HTTP POST request, making it easily exploitable through automated tools or web application scanners.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and credential access tactics. The vulnerability enables an attacker to move from an unauthenticated state to authenticated access within the system, potentially leading to further lateral movement and data exfiltration. Organizations using ATutor 2.2.4 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and proper session management controls. The recommended approach involves implementing strict validation of all HTTP POST parameters in the password_reminder.php script, ensuring that only authorized users can access the password reset functionality, and implementing proper access control checks before processing any password change requests. Additionally, regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application.