CVE-2023-31293 in Cash Point & Transport Optimizer
Summary
by MITRE • 12/29/2023
An issue was discovered in Sesami Cash Point & Transport Optimizer (CPTO) 6.3.8.6 (#718), allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information and bypass profile restriction via improper access control in the Reader system user's web browser, allowing the journal to be displayed, despite the option being disabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-31293 affects Sesami Cash Point & Transport Optimizer version 6.3.8.6, specifically targeting the Reader system user interface within the web browser environment. This issue represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model implemented by the application. The system is designed to restrict certain user profiles from accessing sensitive operational data, yet this vulnerability allows unauthorized access to journal information through improper access control mechanisms. The flaw manifests when a remote attacker exploits the web interface to bypass profile-based restrictions that should prevent access to sensitive operational records. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the application's authorization controls, potentially exposing confidential transactional data and operational logs to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions within the web application's access control framework. When users attempt to access the journal functionality through the Reader system, the application fails to properly enforce the profile-based restrictions that should prevent unauthorized access. This improper access control vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate the web interface in such a way that they can bypass the intended security boundaries. The system's inability to properly validate user credentials and permissions during journal access requests creates a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the web browser as the attack vector, making it particularly concerning as it requires no local system access or physical proximity to exploit. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for spearphishing with social engineering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the entire transportation optimization system. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can gain access to detailed transactional records, operational logs, and potentially sensitive user data that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only. This unauthorized access could enable malicious actors to conduct reconnaissance activities, identify patterns in transportation operations, or extract sensitive business intelligence that could be used for further attacks. The exposure of journal data may reveal operational inefficiencies, financial transaction details, or user behavior patterns that could be exploited for financial fraud or competitive advantage. Organizations relying on Sesami CPTO for cash point management and transport optimization face significant risk of data breaches and potential regulatory violations, particularly if the exposed information contains personally identifiable information or financial data subject to privacy regulations such as GDPR or PCI DSS. The vulnerability essentially undermines the trust model that the application is designed to maintain, creating potential for cascading security issues throughout the transportation and cash management ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate implementation of proper access control enforcement within the web application. Organizations should ensure that all user profile permissions are strictly enforced at the application level, with proper validation of user credentials and authorization status before granting access to sensitive information. The fix should involve implementing robust input validation and access control checks that prevent unauthorized access regardless of the user interface manipulation attempted. Security patches should be applied immediately to address the improper access control implementation, and organizations should conduct thorough access control reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. Network-level controls including web application firewalls and access restriction policies should be implemented to minimize the attack surface. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that access controls are functioning correctly and that no similar vulnerabilities exist within the application architecture. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive logging and monitoring of access attempts to detect and respond to unauthorized access attempts. The remediation process should include a thorough review of the application's permission model to ensure that all user roles are properly defined and that the principle of least privilege is consistently enforced across all system components.