CVE-2026-102361 in mall4j
Summary
by MITRE • 09/29/2026
mall4j through 4.0 contains a missing authentication vulnerability in the PUT /user/updatePwd endpoint that allows unauthenticated attackers to reset any storefront account password. Attackers can supply a target username in the request body to overwrite passwords without verification, enabling account takeover and access to orders and personal data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2026
The identified security flaw resides within mall4j versions up to 4.0, specifically affecting the PUT /user/updatePwd endpoint which is designed for updating user passwords. This vulnerability represents a critical failure in authentication controls, classified under CWE-306 as Missing Authentication for Critical Function. The core technical issue stems from the application's inability to verify the identity of the requester before processing sensitive state-changing operations. Instead of requiring proof that the current logged-in user is requesting their own password change, the endpoint accepts a target username within the request body and proceeds to overwrite the associated account credentials without any form of verification or session validation. This architectural oversight effectively bypasses standard access control mechanisms, allowing any external actor with network connectivity to interact directly with this administrative-level function as if they were an authenticated system administrator or the user themselves.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, primarily centering on complete account takeover capabilities for storefront users. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this flaw by crafting a malicious HTTP PUT request that includes the username of any target account in the payload. Upon receiving this request, the server blindly updates the password for the specified user to one chosen by the attacker. This action immediately locks out the legitimate owner and grants full control to the adversary. With access established through these newly created credentials, attackers can perform a wide range of malicious activities including viewing sensitive personal data such as addresses and contact information, accessing order history, manipulating shopping carts, or completing fraudulent purchases using stored payment methods if available. This level of compromise not only violates user privacy but also erodes trust in the e-commerce platform's security posture.
From an offensive cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078, specifically Valid Accounts, as it allows adversaries to establish persistent access by hijacking legitimate credentials. Furthermore, the mechanism of manipulating input data without validation relates closely to CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and CWE-640 Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password. The lack of multi-factor authentication or session binding in this specific endpoint exacerbates the risk, as there are no secondary checks to confirm that the person initiating the password reset is indeed the account holder. This type of flaw is particularly dangerous in e-commerce environments where financial transactions and personal identifiable information are routinely processed, making it a high-value target for automated scanning tools and malicious actors seeking quick access to user bases.
Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing robust identity verification before allowing any credential modification. The most effective remediation involves enforcing strict authentication checks that ensure the request originates from an active session belonging to the account owner being modified. Developers should validate that the authenticated principal matches the target username provided in the request body, rejecting any mismatched attempts with appropriate error codes rather than processing them silently. Additionally, implementing rate limiting on password change endpoints can help mitigate brute-force or automated exploitation attempts. It is also advisable to require current password verification as an additional layer of security, ensuring that only someone who knows the existing secret can set a new one. Regular code reviews and static application security testing should be employed to detect similar missing authentication flaws across other API endpoints within the mall4j framework before deployment to production environments.