CVE-2022-26313 in Mendix Forgot Password Appstore Module
Summary
by MITRE • 03/08/2022
A vulnerability has been identified in Mendix Forgot Password Appstore module (All versions >= V3.3.0 < V3.5.1). In certain configurations of the affected product, a threat actor could use the sign up flow to hijack arbitrary user accounts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26313 affects the Mendix Forgot Password Appstore module, specifically targeting versions greater than or equal to 3.3.0 but less than 3.5.1. This issue represents a critical security flaw within the authentication and account recovery mechanisms of the Mendix platform, which is widely used for rapid application development and deployment. The affected module is part of Mendix's suite of pre-built components designed to handle user authentication flows, including password reset functionality. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation and authorization checks during the account recovery process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's user registration and password reset features.
The technical flaw manifests in the sign up flow implementation where the application fails to properly verify that the email address being used for account recovery corresponds to the legitimate owner of that account. This weakness allows threat actors to manipulate the password reset process by providing an email address that they do not control, potentially leading to unauthorized account takeover scenarios. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-287, which deals with improper authentication mechanisms, specifically focusing on weak account recovery processes that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The flaw essentially creates a condition where the system's trust model is compromised during the password recovery phase, enabling attackers to hijack accounts through manipulation of the registration flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account takeover, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the platform's identity management system. Attackers could potentially target specific users by using their email addresses to reset passwords on accounts they do not own, effectively disabling legitimate users' access to their own accounts. This type of attack aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 credential access tactic, specifically targeting account manipulation and unauthorized access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core authentication infrastructure of applications built on the Mendix platform, potentially compromising thousands of user accounts across multiple applications that utilize the vulnerable module. Organizations using Mendix applications could face significant reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and potential data breaches if this vulnerability is exploited.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to version 3.5.1 or later of the Mendix Forgot Password Appstore module, which contains the necessary security patches to address the account hijacking vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should review and strengthen their account recovery processes, implement additional verification mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication, and monitor for suspicious account activity. The fix addresses the core authentication weakness by implementing proper email validation and account ownership verification during the password reset process, ensuring that only legitimate account owners can initiate recovery operations. Security teams should also consider implementing rate limiting on password reset requests and monitoring for unusual patterns in account recovery attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication design and the potential consequences of inadequate account recovery mechanisms in modern web applications.