CVE-2023-49801 in Lif-Auth-Server
Summary
by MITRE • 01/12/2024
Lif Auth Server is a server for validating logins, managing information, and account recovery for Lif Accounts. The issue relates to the `get_pfp` and `get_banner` routes on Auth Server. The issue is that there is no check to ensure that the file that Auth Server is receiving through these URLs is correct. This could allow an attacker access to files they shouldn't have access to. This issue has been patched in version 1.4.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49801 affects the Lif Auth Server software which serves as a critical authentication infrastructure for managing user logins, account information, and recovery processes within the Lif Accounts ecosystem. This authentication server implements two specific API endpoints, `get_pfp` and `get_banner`, designed to retrieve user profile pictures and banner images respectively. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and file access controls within these routes, creating a path traversal or directory traversal vulnerability that allows unauthorized file access. The vulnerability exists because the server fails to implement proper validation mechanisms to verify that the requested files originate from legitimate sources and are appropriate for the requesting user's access level.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the lack of proper file path validation within the authentication server's file retrieval endpoints. When users request profile pictures or banner images through the `get_pfp` and `get_banner` routes, the server processes these requests without verifying whether the requested file paths are within the intended directories or whether the files are accessible to the requesting user. This absence of access control validation creates a condition where an attacker could potentially manipulate the file path parameters to access system files, user data, or other sensitive resources that should normally be restricted. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in input validation and access control mechanisms, aligning with CWE-22 (Path Traversal) and CWE-285 (Improper Authorization) categories within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The issue represents a fundamental flaw in the server's security architecture where proper authorization checks are missing from critical file access endpoints.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive user information, system configuration files, or other confidential data stored on the server. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access user profile information, potentially including personal details, account recovery data, or other metadata that could be used for further attacks. The vulnerability could also facilitate credential theft or account takeover attempts if the exposed files contain session information or authentication tokens. This type of vulnerability falls under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could use the compromised data to establish persistence or escalate privileges. The exposure of user profile information through these endpoints could lead to privacy violations, identity theft, or social engineering attacks against users within the Lif Accounts ecosystem.
The security implications of CVE-2023-49801 are significant as they represent a critical access control failure within the authentication infrastructure that could undermine the entire security posture of the Lif Accounts system. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security implementation practices where the server fails to enforce proper access controls on file retrieval operations, creating a potential backdoor for attackers to access restricted resources. Organizations using this authentication server would be vulnerable to data breaches, unauthorized access to user accounts, and potential system compromise. The patch released in version 1.4.0 addresses this issue by implementing proper file path validation, access control checks, and input sanitization for the affected endpoints. Security teams should prioritize updating to this patched version and conducting thorough security assessments of similar authentication endpoints within their infrastructure to prevent analogous vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include implementing proper authorization checks, validating file paths against allowed directories, and ensuring that all file access operations adhere to the principle of least privilege. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring and logging for file access operations to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails for security incident response.