CVE-2024-30187 in Anope
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2024
Anope before 2.0.15 does not prevent resetting the password of a suspended account.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-30187 affects Anope IRC services software versions prior to 2.0.15, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of IRC networks utilizing this software. This issue specifically targets the account management functionality within Anope, where the system fails to properly validate account suspension status during password reset operations. The flaw exists in the authentication and authorization mechanisms that govern user account modifications, creating a scenario where malicious actors or compromised users can exploit this weakness to reset passwords for accounts that should be inactive or suspended.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation logic within the password reset functionality of Anope's account management system. When a user attempts to reset a password for an account, the system should verify that the account is in an active state before proceeding with the reset process. However, in versions before 2.0.15, this validation check is either absent or improperly implemented, allowing password reset requests to be processed regardless of the account's suspension status. This represents a direct violation of security principle #3 from the CWE taxonomy, which addresses the failure to check for proper access control validation during critical operations. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-285, which deals with improper authorization in authentication mechanisms, or more specifically CWE-305, which addresses authentication bypass through improper handling of authentication state.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to compromise suspended accounts and potentially gain unauthorized access to network resources that were intended to be restricted. When an account is suspended, it typically indicates that the user has violated network policies or security guidelines, and the suspension serves as a protective measure to prevent further access. However, this vulnerability allows attackers to circumvent these protections by resetting passwords for suspended accounts, effectively reactivating them without proper authorization. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where Anope is used for managing large IRC networks with multiple users, as it could enable attackers to compromise accounts that were suspended due to suspicious activity or policy violations. This vulnerability can be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain, potentially leading to further privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or network disruption. The ATT&CK framework would classify this as a privilege escalation technique under T1078, specifically targeting legitimate credentials through the exploitation of authentication system weaknesses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-30187 require immediate action to upgrade affected Anope installations to version 2.0.15 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper validation of account suspension status during password reset operations. Organizations should implement comprehensive account management policies that include regular review of suspended accounts and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing additional controls such as account lockout mechanisms, enhanced audit logging for password reset activities, and periodic security assessments of authentication systems. The fix implemented in version 2.0.15 likely includes mandatory validation checks that ensure accounts in suspended or disabled states cannot have their passwords reset until proper authorization is obtained through administrative processes. This vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and the critical need for proper access control validation in authentication systems, as highlighted by security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001, which emphasize the importance of proper authentication and access control mechanisms in protecting information systems.