CVE-2023-26580 in IDWeb
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Unauthenticated arbitrary file read in the IDAttend’s IDWeb application 3.1.013 allows the retrieval of any file present on the web server by unauthenticated attackers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2023
The CVE-2023-26580 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the IDAttend IDWeb application version 3.1.013 that enables unauthenticated attackers to perform arbitrary file reads on the affected web server. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and represents a significant weakness in the application's access control mechanisms. The flaw allows attackers to bypass authentication requirements and directly access any file that the web application has permission to read, potentially exposing sensitive data, configuration files, and system resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates without requiring any valid credentials or session tokens, making it extremely accessible to malicious actors. The affected application appears to improperly validate file paths or lack proper input sanitization when processing file requests, creating an opportunity for path traversal attacks. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22 which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as attackers could potentially access sensitive configuration files containing database credentials, API keys, or other confidential information that could lead to further system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects a web application that likely serves authentication and access control functions, potentially enabling attackers to escalate their privileges or gain deeper access to the underlying system infrastructure. The vulnerability is classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as a technique for privilege escalation and credential access, specifically falling under the category of "Path Traversal" within the credential access and privilege escalation domains. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can be exploited through simple HTTP requests that manipulate file path parameters, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no specialized tools or advanced techniques to exploit. The affected version 3.1.013 suggests this may be a regression or an unaddressed flaw that has persisted through multiple releases, indicating potential gaps in the application's security testing and code review processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's input validation and access control implementation. Attackers can construct malicious requests that target specific file paths on the web server, potentially accessing system files, application configuration files, log files, or even source code repositories that may contain sensitive information. The vulnerability likely exists in how the application processes file requests without proper validation of the requested file paths, allowing attackers to use directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate outside the intended directory structure. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when applications fail to properly sanitize user input or when they directly incorporate user-supplied data into file system operations without adequate security controls. The lack of authentication requirements means that any attacker with access to the web application can exploit this vulnerability immediately upon discovery, without needing to first compromise legitimate user accounts or credentials. The vulnerability's impact is compounded by the fact that web applications often run with elevated privileges, meaning that an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially access files that would otherwise be restricted to system administrators or application owners. This presents a significant risk to organizations that rely on the IDAttend IDWeb application for access control and authentication services, as the vulnerability could be used to extract sensitive information that could be leveraged for further attacks.
Organizations utilizing the IDAttend IDWeb application version 3.1.013 must implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability and prevent unauthorized access to their web servers. The primary mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all file path parameters, ensuring that user-supplied input cannot be used to traverse directories or access unintended files. Security patches or updates should be applied immediately to address the vulnerability, and if patches are not available, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls or other network-level protections to filter malicious requests. The application should be configured to run with minimal required privileges and to restrict file system access to only necessary directories, following the principle of least privilege. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring and logging of file access operations to detect potential exploitation attempts and to provide forensic capabilities in case of successful attacks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application and surrounding infrastructure, with particular attention to input validation and access control mechanisms. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper code review processes, as this type of flaw typically results from insufficient security controls during the development phase. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, and organizations should establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle such vulnerabilities. Additionally, security awareness training for developers and system administrators should emphasize the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation to prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.