CVE-2023-49607 in Mattermost
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2023
Mattermost fails to validate the type of the "reminder" body request parameter allowing an attacker to crash the Playbook Plugin when updating the status dialog.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49607 affects the Mattermost collaboration platform, specifically targeting the Playbook Plugin component. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the reminder functionality of the playbook system, creating a potential denial of service condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw exists in how the system processes the "reminder" body request parameter during status dialog updates, where the application fails to properly validate the parameter type before processing it.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the Playbook Plugin's handling of user-supplied data without adequate sanitization or type checking mechanisms. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing an improperly formatted reminder parameter, the system attempts to process this invalid input without proper validation, leading to a crash condition within the plugin's operational context. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, which represents one of the most common and dangerous software weaknesses in cybersecurity. The flaw essentially allows for a controlled crash scenario where the plugin becomes unresponsive and requires manual intervention to restore functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely compromise the availability of critical collaboration features within Mattermost environments. Organizations relying on the Playbook Plugin for workflow automation, incident response, or project management may experience significant operational downtime when this vulnerability is exploited. The crash condition affects not only individual users but can potentially impact entire teams or departments that depend on the playbook functionality for their daily operations. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where continuous availability of collaboration tools is essential for business continuity.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers "Utilities: Endpoint Denial of Service" and represents a specific vector for service disruption attacks. The exploitability of this issue is relatively straightforward, requiring only the ability to make authenticated requests to the Mattermost API endpoint that handles playbook status updates. Organizations should consider implementing robust input validation measures, including parameter type checking, length restrictions, and proper error handling mechanisms to prevent such crashes from occurring. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be prioritized to address this class of vulnerability, as it represents a clear pathway for denial of service attacks that can significantly impact operational efficiency and team productivity within collaborative environments.