CVE-2022-23604 in x26-Cogs
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2022
x26-Cogs is a repository of cogs made by Twentysix for the Red Discord bot. Among these cogs is the Defender cog, a tool for Discord server moderation. A vulnerability in the Defender cog prior to version 1.10.0 allows users with admin privileges to issue commands as other users who share the same server. If a bot owner shares the same server as the attacker, it is possible for the attacker to issue bot-owner restricted commands. The issue has been patched in version 1.10.0. One may unload the Defender cog as a workaround.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-23604 affects the x26-Cogs repository, specifically the Defender cog designed for the Red Discord bot platform. This cog serves as a moderation tool for Discord server administrators, providing various security and management functionalities. The flaw exists within the command execution mechanism of the Defender cog, creating a privilege escalation vector that allows malicious actors with admin-level access to impersonate other users within the same server environment. The vulnerability specifically impacts the command handling logic where user identity verification and authentication checks are insufficiently implemented, enabling unauthorized command execution through forged user contexts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and user context management within the cog's command processing system. When administrators execute commands through the Defender cog, the system fails to properly verify the authenticity of user identities before executing restricted operations. This weakness creates a scenario where an attacker with administrative privileges can manipulate command parameters to target other users within the shared server environment. The flaw particularly affects scenarios where the bot owner shares the same Discord server as the attacker, allowing the malicious user to escalate privileges and execute commands that should only be available to the bot owner. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks and improper access control implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating potential security risks for Discord server administrators who rely on the Red Discord bot ecosystem. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to execute bot-owner restricted commands without proper authorization, potentially leading to unauthorized server modifications, data manipulation, or privilege delegation. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages existing administrative access within the server rather than requiring additional authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of server management operations, as malicious actors can perform actions that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only. The risk is amplified when the bot owner shares the same server as the attacker, creating a direct path for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-23604 include immediate deployment of version 1.10.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the authorization bypass issue. The patch likely implements enhanced user context verification mechanisms and strengthens the command execution framework to prevent unauthorized impersonation. Organizations should also consider implementing the workaround of unloading the Defender cog until the updated version is properly deployed and tested. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566.001 for spearphishing via social media. Security teams should monitor their Discord server environments for any suspicious command execution patterns and ensure proper access controls are maintained for all administrative functions within the bot ecosystem.