CVE-2023-2784 in Server
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2023
Mattermost fails to verify if the requestor is a sysadmin or not, before allowing `install` requests to the Apps allowing a regular user send install requests to the Apps.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2784 represents a critical access control flaw within the Mattermost communication platform that undermines the security model governing application installation capabilities. This issue stems from the platform's failure to properly validate administrative privileges before processing installation requests for third-party applications. The flaw allows any authenticated user within the system to submit installation requests for applications, bypassing the intended authorization checks that should restrict such operations to system administrators only. This misconfiguration creates a significant privilege escalation vector that directly contradicts the fundamental security principle of least privilege.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the application's authorization logic within the Apps management component of Mattermost. When a user attempts to install an application, the system should verify that the requesting entity possesses the necessary system administrator privileges before proceeding with the installation process. However, the current implementation lacks this crucial verification step, enabling unauthorized users to exploit the installation endpoint through crafted requests. This failure in access control validation creates a direct pathway for regular users to install applications that could potentially be malicious or unauthorized within the organization's security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables potential attackers to deploy malicious applications or backdoors within the Mattermost environment. Regular users could install applications that collect sensitive data, establish command and control channels, or provide unauthorized access to system resources. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where Mattermost serves as a critical communication platform for sensitive business operations and confidential information sharing. This vulnerability essentially transforms the application installation process from a controlled administrative function into an open attack surface that could be exploited by both insider threats and external attackers who gain access to regular user accounts.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control, and specifically maps to the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and control communication and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The flaw represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms. Organizations utilizing Mattermost should immediately implement mitigations including immediate patching of the affected software versions, implementing additional monitoring around application installation activities, and reviewing existing access control policies to ensure proper segregation of duties. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining robust application security testing procedures and regular security audits to identify similar access control weaknesses in complex enterprise communication platforms.
This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper authorization controls in modern communication platforms where multiple user roles and privileges must be carefully managed. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly simple access control checks can have cascading security implications when not properly implemented. Organizations should consider implementing additional layers of security monitoring to detect unauthorized application installation attempts and establish clear audit trails for all administrative operations within their Mattermost environments. The remediation process should include not only patching the specific vulnerability but also conducting comprehensive security assessments of the platform's access control mechanisms to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the system.