CVE-2022-29950 in Experian Hunter
Summary
by MITRE • 05/04/2022
Experian Hunter 1.16 allows remote authenticated users to modify assumed-immutable elements via the (1) rule name parameter to the Rules page or the (2) subrule name or (3) categories name parameter to the Subrules page.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-29950 affects Experian Hunter version 1.16 and represents a critical authorization bypass issue that undermines the integrity of security rule configurations. This flaw allows authenticated attackers to manipulate elements that should remain immutable, creating potential pathways for privilege escalation and unauthorized system modifications. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interfaces of the security platform where rule management occurs, compromising the fundamental security controls that protect organizational data assets.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of specific parameters within the web application's rule management interfaces. Attackers can modify rule names on the Rules page or manipulate subrule names and category names on the Subrules page without proper authorization. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms that fail to properly verify user permissions before allowing modifications to security configurations. This represents a classic case of inadequate authorization controls where the application assumes that authenticated users cannot modify critical system elements without proper privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, potentially allowing attackers to undermine the security posture of organizations using Experian Hunter. By modifying rule names, subrules, or categories, malicious actors could disable critical security controls, create backdoors, or establish persistent access points within the system. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and could enable attackers to bypass security policies that are designed to protect against unauthorized access and data breaches. The implications are particularly severe given that these modifications occur within the core security configuration management interface.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-285 (Improper Authorization) and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion. The flaw demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and inadequate access control enforcement that could be exploited to establish persistent threats within organizational networks. Organizations using Experian Hunter should immediately implement mitigations including thorough input validation, enhanced access controls, and comprehensive monitoring of rule modification activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and proper code review processes to identify authorization bypass issues before they can be exploited by threat actors.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms that prevent parameter manipulation, enforcing strict access controls for rule management functions, and establishing comprehensive audit trails for all configuration changes. Security teams should also consider implementing role-based access controls that limit rule modification capabilities to authorized administrators only, while ensuring that all user interactions with rule management interfaces are properly authenticated and authorized. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be prioritized to address similar vulnerabilities in related software components.