CVE-2022-39216 in iTop
Summary
by MITRE • 03/14/2023
Combodo iTop is an open source, web-based IT service management platform. Prior to versions 2.7.8 and 3.0.2-1, the reset password token is generated without any randomness parameter. This may lead to account takeover. The issue is fixed in versions 2.7.8 and 3.0.2-1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-39216 affects Combodo iTop, a widely-used open source web-based IT service management platform that organizations rely on for managing their IT infrastructure and service delivery operations. This security flaw resides in the password reset functionality of the platform, specifically in how reset tokens are generated for user account recovery processes. The vulnerability represents a significant security weakness that could enable unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially compromising the entire IT service management environment. Organizations using iTop for critical infrastructure management face elevated risk when operating on vulnerable versions, as the flaw directly impacts the platform's ability to maintain secure user authentication and access controls.
The technical flaw stems from the implementation of password reset token generation without proper randomness parameters. When cryptographic tokens are generated without sufficient entropy or randomization, they become predictable and susceptible to brute force attacks or pattern recognition techniques. This weakness falls under the category of insufficient randomness as classified by CWE-330, which specifically addresses the use of weak or predictable random number generators in security-critical applications. The predictable nature of these tokens means that an attacker who can observe or guess one reset token could potentially generate valid tokens for other user accounts, enabling account takeover attacks. This vulnerability directly violates security best practices for cryptographic token generation and authentication mechanisms, as outlined in NIST SP 800-90A and other cryptographic standards that require high-quality random number generation for security protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account compromise, as it affects the fundamental security posture of organizations using iTop for IT service management. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical IT service management functionalities including user account management, service catalog access, incident tracking, and configuration item management. This could lead to data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within the organization's IT infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where iTop serves as a central management platform for IT operations, as it could enable attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive information or systems. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for account access and T1078 for valid accounts, as it leverages legitimate authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access.
Organizations should immediately update their iTop installations to versions 2.7.8 or 3.0.2-1 to remediate this vulnerability, as these releases implement proper randomization in password reset token generation. Security teams should also conduct immediate assessments of their iTop deployments to identify any potential exploitation attempts or compromised accounts, particularly focusing on user accounts that have recently requested password resets. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in password reset requests or access attempts. Additional mitigations include implementing rate limiting on password reset requests, monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns, and conducting thorough security audits of the platform's authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in security-critical components and serves as a reminder of the necessity for regular security updates and vulnerability assessments in open source software deployments. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication for privileged accounts and regular security training for administrators to minimize the impact of potential exploitation.