CVE-2022-45851 in ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in ShareThis ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics.This issue affects ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics: from n/a through 3.1.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-45851 represents a critical authorization flaw within the ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 3.1.4. This missing authorization issue fundamentally undermines the security controls that should protect sensitive dashboard functionalities and data access within the Google Analytics ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly verify user permissions before granting access to restricted dashboard features and analytical data. Such a flaw allows unauthorized users to potentially access sensitive information and perform administrative actions that should be restricted to legitimate authorized personnel.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests as a failure in the plugin's authentication and authorization framework, where the system does not adequately validate user credentials or roles before executing privileged operations. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to dashboard functionalities that typically require specific user permissions or administrative privileges. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable attackers to manipulate dashboard configurations, view confidential analytics data, and potentially execute malicious actions within the Google Analytics environment. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in authorization mechanisms where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions, falling under the category of insufficient authorization controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics, as it could allow malicious actors to access sensitive business intelligence, user behavior data, and other confidential analytics information. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Google Analytics typically contains valuable data about user demographics, traffic patterns, and business metrics that competitors or malicious parties might seek to exploit. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who gain access to any user account within the system, potentially escalating privileges to access restricted dashboard features and data that should remain protected. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and can result in unauthorized data modification, information disclosure, and potential system compromise.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through the application of available patches or updates to versions beyond 3.1.4 where the authorization controls have been properly implemented. Organizations should also conduct thorough access reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the affected dashboard functionalities. The implementation of additional security controls such as network segmentation, enhanced monitoring of dashboard access, and regular security assessments can help mitigate the risk while waiting for official patches. According to ATT&CK framework considerations, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques where attackers can leverage the missing authorization controls to maintain persistent access and avoid detection mechanisms that would normally prevent unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.