CVE-2023-4101 in QSige
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The QSige login SSO does not have an access control mechanism to verify whether the user requesting a resource has sufficient permissions to do so. As a prerequisite, it is necessary to log into the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4101 affects the QSige login SSO system which lacks proper access control verification mechanisms. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the fundamental principles of least privilege and principle of least authority in information security. The system's failure to validate user permissions during resource access requests creates a significant pathway for unauthorized data exposure and privilege escalation attacks. According to CWE-285, this vulnerability directly relates to insufficient access control checks, where the system does not properly verify that authenticated users possess the necessary authorization levels to access specific resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates under the assumption that all authenticated users are entitled to access all resources, completely bypassing any role-based access control or attribute-based access control mechanisms that should normally be in place.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the absence of authorization checks within the SSO workflow where user authentication occurs but subsequent resource access validation is entirely omitted. This creates a scenario where an attacker who successfully authenticates through the SSO system can potentially access any resource within the application without proper authorization verification. The vulnerability exists at the application layer and specifically impacts the resource access control logic, where the system assumes that authentication equals authorization. This design flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which describes valid accounts being used to gain access to systems, but in this case the system fails to enforce proper access controls even when valid accounts are used. The lack of access control validation means that legitimate users with appropriate credentials can be exploited to access resources they should not have access to, while unauthorized users who gain access to valid credentials can leverage this weakness to access protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial and can result in data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential privilege escalation within the affected system. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access confidential data, modify system configurations, or perform administrative functions that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor for unauthorized access that bypasses normal security controls, making it particularly dangerous in environments where sensitive data processing occurs. Organizations using this SSO system may experience compliance violations with security standards such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR, as the lack of proper access controls constitutes a failure to implement necessary security measures. The vulnerability also increases the attack surface significantly since any authenticated user can potentially access unauthorized resources, making it difficult to contain security incidents and track unauthorized access attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-4101 must focus on implementing robust access control mechanisms within the SSO system. Organizations should immediately implement proper authorization checks that validate user permissions against required access levels before granting resource access. This includes implementing role-based access control systems where users are assigned specific roles with defined permissions, and attribute-based access control where access decisions are made based on user attributes and resource characteristics. The system should enforce mandatory access controls that prevent authenticated users from accessing resources beyond their designated permissions, regardless of their authentication status. Security patches should be applied to ensure proper access control validation occurs during all resource access requests, and organizations should implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in other systems and applications within the organization's infrastructure. The implementation of these controls should align with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27002 which emphasize the importance of proper access control mechanisms and authorization validation in information security systems.