CVE-2023-25957 in Mendix SAML
Summary
by MITRE • 03/14/2023
A vulnerability has been identified in Mendix SAML (Mendix 7 compatible) (All Versions >= 1.16.4 = 2.2.0 = 3.1.9 = 3.1.9 < 3.2.5). The affected versions of the module insufficiently verifies the SAML assertions. This could allow unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass authentication and get access to the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-25957 affects Mendix SAML modules across multiple version ranges including 1.16.4 through 2.2.0, 3.1.9, and versions prior to 3.2.5. This represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security foundation of applications relying on SAML-based single sign-on mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the SAML assertion verification process within the Mendix platform, which is designed to authenticate users through external identity providers while maintaining secure session management.
The technical flaw manifests in insufficient validation of SAML assertions, which are cryptographic documents containing authentication claims and session information. When the SAML module fails to properly verify these assertions, it allows malicious actors to craft or manipulate SAML responses that would normally be rejected by a secure implementation. This weakness creates an attack surface where unauthenticated remote adversaries can potentially impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to protected application resources. The vulnerability operates at the authentication layer, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring prior access credentials or system privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the application's authentication system. Attackers exploiting this flaw could potentially access sensitive data, perform administrative functions, or manipulate application state with the privileges of authenticated users. Given that Mendix applications often handle business-critical information and processes, the consequences of successful exploitation could include data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations. The vulnerability affects all versions within the specified ranges, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple application deployments that rely on Mendix SAML integration.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to patched versions of the Mendix SAML module, specifically those beyond version 3.2.5. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring to detect unusual authentication patterns or unauthorized access attempts that might indicate exploitation. Security teams should review their SAML configurations and consider implementing additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication or enhanced session management policies. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and represents a significant risk under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and initial access tactics. The affected systems should undergo comprehensive security assessments to ensure no unauthorized access has occurred, and organizations should verify that their SAML implementations properly validate all assertion parameters including issuer, audience, and signature verification.