CVE-2025-26367 in Q-Free MaxTime
Summary
by MITRE • 02/12/2025
A CWE-862 "Missing Authorization" in maxprofile/user-groups/routes.lua in Q-Free MaxTime less than or equal to version 2.11.0 allows an authenticated (low-privileged) attacker to create arbitrary user groups via crafted HTTP requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-26367 represents a critical authorization flaw within the Q-Free MaxTime system, specifically affecting versions 2.11.0 and earlier. This issue manifests as a CWE-862 "Missing Authorization" condition in the maxprofile/user-groups/routes.lua component, where the application fails to properly validate user permissions before processing requests related to user group creation. The flaw exists in the web application's access control mechanisms, allowing attackers who have already established authentication credentials to bypass intended security restrictions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authorization checks within the user group management functionality. An authenticated user with low privileges can craft specially formatted HTTP requests that exploit the missing authorization controls to create arbitrary user groups within the system. This occurs because the application does not verify whether the authenticated user possesses the necessary administrative privileges before permitting group creation operations. The flaw essentially allows privilege escalation through unauthorized group manipulation, as the system accepts requests without confirming that the user has proper authorization to perform these administrative actions.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using Q-Free MaxTime systems, particularly in environments where user access control is critical for maintaining security boundaries. An attacker who has gained access to any valid user account can leverage this flaw to create new user groups with elevated permissions, potentially establishing persistent access points within the system. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized group creation, as it enables attackers to manipulate the application's user management infrastructure and potentially compromise other system components that rely on proper group-based access controls. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can lead to unauthorized system access, data manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper authorization checks and input validation within the affected application component. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Q-Free MaxTime versions greater than 2.11.0 where this authorization flaw has been addressed. System administrators should also review and enforce proper access control policies, ensuring that only authorized administrative users can perform group creation operations. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring around user group creation activities can help detect unauthorized attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1548.002 for Abuse of Cloud Infrastructure, highlighting the importance of proper authorization controls in preventing unauthorized system access and privilege escalation.