CVE-2023-38510 in Tolgee
Summary
by MITRE • 07/27/2023
Tolgee is an open-source localization platform. Starting in version 3.14.0 and prior to version 3.23.1, when a request is made using an API key, the backend fails to verify the permission scopes associated with the key, effectively bypassing permission checks entirely for some endpoints. It's important to note that this vulnerability only affects projects that have inadvertently exposed their API keys on the internet. Projects that have kept their API keys secure are not impacted. This issue is fixed in version 3.23.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-38510 represents a critical authorization flaw within the Tolgee open-source localization platform that undermines the security model designed to protect user resources. This issue affects versions 3.14.0 through 3.23.0, creating a scenario where authenticated API requests can bypass intended permission controls due to missing scope validation mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the backend authentication system's inability to properly validate API key permissions, effectively allowing unauthorized access to protected endpoints. The flaw demonstrates a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the backend service's failure to perform proper permission scope validation when processing API requests. When an API key is used to make a request, the system should verify that the key possesses the appropriate scope permissions for the requested action, but this validation step is completely omitted. This oversight creates a situation where any valid API key, regardless of its intended scope, can access endpoints that should be restricted to specific permission levels. The vulnerability essentially transforms the permission model from a controlled access system into a permissive one where the API key's capabilities are not properly enforced. This authorization bypass mechanism operates silently without any indication to the user that the system is failing to enforce security controls, making it particularly dangerous in production environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations that have inadvertently exposed their API keys to the internet, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to localization data and potentially sensitive project information. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to access translation resources, modify project configurations, or extract confidential localization data without proper authorization. The vulnerability's effectiveness is directly correlated to the exposure of API keys on public networks, making it a critical concern for projects that have not properly secured their authentication tokens. This scenario represents a common security misconfiguration where developers fail to properly manage API key distribution and access control, creating a window of opportunity for unauthorized access. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure to potentially compromise the integrity of localization workflows and project security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-38510 focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security practices. The primary solution involves upgrading to Tolgee version 3.23.1 or later, which includes the proper permission scope validation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement comprehensive API key management practices including regular key rotation, access monitoring, and network segmentation to prevent unauthorized exposure of authentication tokens. The vulnerability's nature aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering and credential access methods, as it enables unauthorized access through exposed credentials. Additionally, this issue relates to ATT&CK technique T1078, which addresses legitimate credentials usage, as the vulnerability allows attackers to leverage valid but improperly scoped API keys. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of their API key usage and implement automated monitoring to detect unauthorized access patterns, while also ensuring proper network access controls to limit exposure of API endpoints to trusted networks only.