CVE-2023-50887 in User Feedback Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in UserFeedback Team User Feedback allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects User Feedback: from n/a through 1.0.10.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The CVE-2023-50887 vulnerability represents a critical authorization flaw within the UserFeedback Team User Feedback plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 1.0.10. This security weakness stems from improperly configured access control mechanisms that fail to adequately verify user permissions before granting access to sensitive functionalities. The vulnerability exists in the plugin's authorization framework where it incorrectly assumes that authenticated users possess the necessary privileges to perform administrative actions, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to restricted features. Such misconfiguration allows attackers to exploit the system by manipulating access control checks that should normally prevent unauthorized users from executing privileged operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through insufficient validation of user roles and permissions within the plugin's security architecture. When users interact with the feedback system, the application fails to properly authenticate whether the requesting user possesses the appropriate authorization levels to access or modify specific feedback data. This flaw directly correlates to CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software systems, where access control mechanisms are inadequately enforced or configured. The vulnerability operates by bypassing the intended access control matrix, allowing malicious actors to perform actions that should be restricted to administrators or authorized personnel only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to manipulate the feedback system in potentially damaging ways. An attacker with basic user privileges could potentially access confidential feedback data, modify existing feedback entries, or even delete critical information within the system. This unauthorized access could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of user feedback, which may contain sensitive business information, customer data, or proprietary insights. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on feedback systems for collecting sensitive information, as it creates opportunities for data leakage and potential business disruption. The impact is amplified when considering that feedback systems often serve as repositories for user opinions and system performance data that may include system vulnerabilities or business strategies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-50887 should prioritize immediate implementation of proper access control validation throughout the plugin's codebase. Organizations must ensure that all user interactions with feedback features include robust authorization checks that verify user roles against required permissions before executing any privileged operations. The fix should implement proper authentication mechanisms that align with ATT&CK framework technique T1078 which addresses valid accounts and legitimate credentials as entry points for attackers. Security patches should enforce strict role-based access control policies where only users with appropriate administrative privileges can access sensitive feedback management functions. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive access control audits to identify any other potential misconfigurations within the system, as this vulnerability may indicate broader security architecture issues that require systematic review and remediation across all plugin components.