CVE-2024-38701 in Academy LMS Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2024
Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in Academy LMS.This issue affects Academy LMS: from n/a through 2.0.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-38701 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within the Academy LMS platform that stems from improper handling of user-controlled keys. This weakness allows authenticated users to manipulate authorization mechanisms through crafted input that controls key parameters within the system. The vulnerability exists in Academy LMS versions prior to 2.0.5, creating a persistent risk for organizations relying on this learning management system for educational content delivery and user management. The issue manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-provided keys that are intended to control access to specific resources or functionalities within the platform.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which describes improper authorization scenarios where systems fail to properly enforce access controls. In the context of Academy LMS, the flaw occurs when user-controllable keys are used to determine authorization levels or access permissions without adequate validation checks. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating key values in API requests or form submissions to gain unauthorized access to restricted content, administrative functions, or other protected resources. The vulnerability essentially allows privilege escalation where regular users might be able to access administrative interfaces or sensitive data that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This type of authorization bypass commonly occurs in applications where input parameters are directly used in access control decisions without proper sanitization or validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-38701 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling comprehensive system compromise and data breaches within educational institutions using Academy LMS. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could access student records, course materials, grading systems, or administrative controls that would normally be protected. The implications are particularly severe for educational environments where data privacy regulations such as FERPA or GDPR apply, as unauthorized access to student information could result in significant compliance violations and legal consequences. Organizations may experience disruption to their learning management workflows, potential data exfiltration, and reputational damage from security incidents. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access within the system, potentially leading to long-term compromise of the educational platform and associated infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-38701 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Academy LMS installations to version 2.0.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the authorization bypass vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures to prevent user-controlled keys from being used in authorization decisions without proper verification. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that all access control decisions are based on server-side validation rather than client-provided parameters. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their LMS environments to identify other potential authorization bypass vulnerabilities. The mitigation approach should align with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, as attackers might leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and move laterally within the compromised environment. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be maintained as part of the overall security posture to prevent similar issues from emerging in the future.