CVE-2023-2980 in Pydio Cells
Summary
by MITRE • 05/30/2023
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Abstrium Pydio Cells 4.2.0. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component User Creation Handler. The manipulation leads to improper control of resource identifiers. The attack can be initiated remotely. Upgrading to version 4.2.1 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-230212.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2980 represents a critical security flaw in Abstrium Pydio Cells 4.2.0 that specifically targets the User Creation Handler component. This issue falls under the category of improper control of resource identifiers, which is a well-documented weakness that can lead to serious security implications when exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates the potential for significant impact on system integrity and user data protection, making it a high-priority concern for organizations relying on this platform for file sharing and collaboration services.
The technical flaw manifests in how the User Creation Handler component manages resource identifiers during user account creation processes. This improper control allows attackers to manipulate identifier handling mechanisms in ways that could lead to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, or resource exhaustion attacks. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to initiate malicious activities against the affected component. This remote attack vector significantly broadens the potential threat surface and increases the likelihood of successful exploitation across various network environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation scenarios to encompass potential data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and compromised user authentication mechanisms. Organizations utilizing Pydio Cells 4.2.0 may face serious consequences including unauthorized access to sensitive files, modification of user permissions, and potential lateral movement within network infrastructures. The vulnerability's presence in the user creation handler component specifically targets fundamental authentication and authorization processes that are critical to maintaining secure access controls within collaborative environments. This makes the impact particularly severe for organizations that rely heavily on user management and access control features.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses improper control of resource identifiers, and represents a clear violation of proper access control mechanisms that should be implemented in any secure system. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access tactics, as attackers could potentially leverage the improper identifier handling to gain elevated privileges or manipulate user accounts. The recommended mitigation strategy of upgrading to version 4.2.1 directly addresses the root cause by implementing proper identifier control mechanisms and strengthening the user creation handler's resource management processes. Organizations should prioritize this upgrade immediately and conduct thorough security assessments to ensure no exploitation has occurred prior to implementing the patch, as the vulnerability's critical severity indicates a high probability of active exploitation attempts in the wild.