CVE-2023-47320 in Silverpeas
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2023
Silverpeas Core 6.3.1 is vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control. An attacker with low privileges is able to execute the administrator-only function of putting the application in "Maintenance Mode" due to broken access control. This makes the application unavailable to all users. This affects Silverpeas Core 6.3.1 and below.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-47320 represents a critical access control flaw within Silverpeas Core version 6.3.1 and earlier releases. This issue stems from improper authorization checks that allow users with minimal privileges to perform administrative functions typically restricted to system administrators. The specific function in question enables the activation of maintenance mode, a powerful administrative capability that renders the entire application inaccessible to all users while the system is in this state. This misconfiguration creates a significant security risk as it effectively allows unauthorized users to disrupt service availability and potentially cause operational downtime for the entire organization relying on the Silverpeas platform.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which describes improper authorization conditions within software systems. The flaw manifests as a broken access control mechanism where the application fails to properly validate user permissions before executing privileged operations. In this case, the maintenance mode function lacks adequate authentication checks to verify that only users with administrative privileges can invoke this capability. The vulnerability exists at the application logic level where access control decisions are made, suggesting that the system's authorization framework has been improperly implemented or configured, allowing privilege escalation through the exploitation of insufficient access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it creates a vector for potential denial of service attacks that can affect all users of the Silverpeas platform. When an attacker successfully places the application in maintenance mode, they effectively lock out all legitimate users from accessing the system, potentially causing business disruption and productivity loss. This vulnerability particularly impacts organizations that depend heavily on Silverpeas for collaborative work environments, document management, or communication platforms where availability is critical. The consequences can range from temporary inconvenience to extended downtime depending on how quickly the issue is detected and remediated, potentially leading to reputational damage and loss of user confidence in the platform's security posture.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Silverpeas Core version 6.3.2 or later where this issue has been addressed through proper access control implementation. System administrators should also review and enforce strict user role assignments to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to administrative functions. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that access control mechanisms function correctly and that only authorized personnel can perform maintenance mode operations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-level controls and monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized attempts to access administrative functions, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation. Regular security assessments and access control reviews should be conducted to prevent similar issues from arising in other components of the system, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authorization controls in maintaining system integrity and availability.