CVE-2025-40676 in Negotiator
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2025
Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) in Negotiator v3.15.2 from Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources - European Research Infrastructure (BBMRI-ERIC). This vulnerability allows an attacker to access or modify unauthorised resources by manipulating requests that use the 'userID' parameter in '/api/v3/users/', which may result in the exposure or alteration of sensitive data
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-40676 represents a critical insecure direct object reference flaw within the Negotiator application version 3.15.2 developed by BBMRI-ERIC. This application serves as a biobanking and biomolecular resources infrastructure platform that facilitates access to sensitive biological samples and associated data. The vulnerability specifically affects the user management endpoint at '/api/v3/users/' where the application fails to properly validate user permissions when processing requests containing the 'userID' parameter. This weakness enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and directly manipulate object references to gain unauthorized access to other users' data or perform unauthorized modifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the application's API layer. When legitimate requests are made to the '/api/v3/users/' endpoint, the system relies on the 'userID' parameter provided in the request without sufficient authorization checks to verify that the requesting user has legitimate access rights to the target resource. This design flaw allows an attacker to simply modify the userID value in their requests to access or manipulate data belonging to other users within the system. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-639, which specifically addresses Insecure Direct Object Reference conditions where applications fail to verify that the user has proper authorization to access the requested resource.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential data integrity compromise and privacy violations within the biobanking infrastructure. Given that BBMRI-ERIC handles sensitive biological samples and associated research data, unauthorized access could result in the exposure of confidential research findings, patient information, or proprietary sample data. The potential for data modification through this vulnerability means that attackers could alter user profiles, permissions, or potentially manipulate access controls within the system. This threat is particularly concerning in research environments where data integrity and access control are paramount for maintaining the validity of scientific research and protecting participant privacy.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary remediation approach involves implementing proper input validation and access control checks at the application level, ensuring that all requests to the '/api/v3/users/' endpoint include robust authorization verification before processing any user data. This includes implementing principle of least privilege access controls where users can only access their own data unless explicitly authorized otherwise. Additionally, the system should incorporate proper session management and authentication verification mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing API request rate limiting and monitoring systems to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, making it a significant concern for organizations implementing security controls under the adversary tactics and techniques catalog.