CVE-2022-0746 in Dolibarr
Summary
by MITRE • 02/25/2022
Business Logic Errors in GitHub repository dolibarr/dolibarr prior to 16.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0746 represents a business logic error within the Dolibarr repository management system prior to version 16.0. This critical flaw stems from improper validation of user permissions and access controls during repository operations, creating potential pathways for unauthorized data manipulation and information disclosure. The issue manifests in the application's failure to adequately verify user privileges when executing repository-related functions, particularly affecting the handling of sensitive repository metadata and access permissions. Such business logic errors are categorized under CWE-252, which specifically addresses "Unchecked Return Value" and improper validation of system states, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it operates at the core of application logic rather than at lower-level implementation flaws.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit the inconsistent permission checking mechanisms within the Dolibarr system. When users interact with repository functions, the application fails to properly validate whether the requesting user possesses adequate privileges to perform specific operations on target repositories. This weakness enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain elevated privileges or access restricted repository information. The flaw particularly affects repository creation, modification, and deletion operations where proper authorization checks are either missing or inadequately implemented, creating a scenario where unauthorized users might manipulate repository configurations or access sensitive data. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers Valid Accounts and privilege escalation through improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0746 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including repository data corruption, information leakage, and potential privilege escalation within the Dolibarr environment. Organizations using affected versions face significant risks to their repository integrity and data confidentiality, particularly in environments where multiple users with varying permission levels interact with the system. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in complete repository compromise, allowing attackers to manipulate version control histories, modify access controls, or extract sensitive information from repository metadata. Security teams must consider the potential for cascading effects where compromised repository access could lead to broader system compromises, especially in integrated development environments where repository access is tied to broader application functionality. The business logic error creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the vulnerable version is deployed, making timely patching essential for maintaining system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate version upgrades to Dolibarr 16.0 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the business logic validation issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control reviews to identify any existing unauthorized access that might have occurred due to this vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual repository access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough penetration testing of repository functions to verify that proper access controls are now enforced and that no residual privilege escalation paths exist. Additionally, implementing automated patch management processes will help ensure that future vulnerabilities are addressed promptly, reducing the window of exposure for similar business logic flaws. The remediation process should include detailed testing of repository operations to confirm that all access control mechanisms function correctly and that proper authorization checks are enforced throughout the application's repository handling functions.