CVE-2025-53293 in Dashboard Widget Sidebar Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2025
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Morten Dalgaard Johansen Dashboard Widget Sidebar allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels. This issue affects Dashboard Widget Sidebar: from n/a through 1.2.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-53293 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Dashboard Widget Sidebar component developed by Morten Dalgaard Johansen. This security weakness manifests as an incorrectly configured access control mechanism that permits unauthorized users to exploit functionality that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The vulnerability exists across all versions of the Dashboard Widget Sidebar from the initial release through version 1.2.3, indicating a persistent security flaw that has not been adequately addressed in the software lifecycle. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally undermines the access control security model that should protect sensitive dashboard functionalities and user data.
The technical implementation of this missing authorization vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions before executing privileged operations within the dashboard sidebar interface. When users interact with the widget sidebar components, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary authorization levels to access specific dashboard features or data. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for attackers to bypass intended access controls and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or administrative functions. The flaw operates at the application level where security checks should be enforced but are either absent or improperly implemented, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system through various attack vectors including direct manipulation of interface elements or exploitation of API endpoints that should be protected.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing the Dashboard Widget Sidebar component, as it enables unauthorized access to potentially sensitive dashboard data and administrative controls. Attackers could leverage this flaw to view confidential information, modify dashboard configurations, or perform actions that should be restricted to authorized administrators only. The impact is particularly concerning given that dashboard interfaces typically serve as central management consoles that may contain critical operational data, system metrics, or administrative controls. The vulnerability's presence across multiple versions suggests that organizations using any version within the affected range are at risk, requiring immediate attention to prevent potential exploitation. This type of access control failure aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege that should govern all access control mechanisms.
The exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, unauthorized configuration changes, or privilege escalation within the dashboard environment. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises and evaluate the potential impact on their specific implementations. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through version updates or implementation of compensating controls. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access tactics where adversaries attempt to gain elevated access rights to systems or data. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected versions, implementation of additional access control layers, and thorough security testing of all dashboard interfaces to identify similar authorization gaps. Regular security assessments and access control reviews are essential to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of the system architecture.