CVE-2026-121817 in Herowatch Go Server
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2026
Herowatch Go Server developed by About Time Technologies has a Insecure Direct Object Reference vulnerability. Authenticated remote attackers can modify specific parameters to access or operate other users' data and functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2026
The Herowatch Go Server, developed by About Time Technologies, contains an insecure direct object reference (IDOR) vulnerability that allows authenticated remote attackers to manipulate application logic for unauthorized access. This class of weakness occurs when a web application exposes internal implementation objects, such as database keys or file names, directly in user-accessible parameters without performing adequate authorization checks. In this specific instance, the server fails to verify whether the authenticated user has permission to perform actions on or view data associated with other users' accounts. By modifying specific input parameters that likely correspond to unique identifiers for resources like device configurations, sensor readings, or administrative settings, an attacker can bypass intended access controls and interact with entities belonging to different tenants or individual users within the system.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from a failure in server-side authorization logic rather than a flaw in authentication mechanisms. While the user is successfully authenticated, the application does not enforce proper ownership validation when processing requests that modify data. This allows an attacker to iterate through sequential identifiers or guess valid object references to access sensitive information such as personal health data collected by wearable devices, location history, or administrative controls for other users' Herowatch units. The impact extends beyond simple data leakage; since the vulnerability permits operation of functions, attackers could potentially alter device settings, disable security features, or inject malicious configurations into other users' systems, leading to a complete compromise of system integrity and confidentiality.
The operational impact is significant in environments where privacy and trust are paramount, such as healthcare monitoring or personal safety applications. Unauthorized access to another user's data violates core principles of confidentiality and can lead to severe legal and reputational consequences for the service provider under regulations like GDPR or HIPAA if applicable. Furthermore, the ability to operate functions on behalf of other users enables privilege escalation scenarios where an attacker with a standard account could potentially manipulate system-wide settings or disrupt services for others. This undermines the fundamental security boundary between distinct user identities within the multi-tenant architecture of the Herowatch platform.
To mitigate this vulnerability, developers must implement robust object-level authorization checks on all endpoints that accept identifiers as input parameters. Every request should validate that the authenticated session's identity matches the owner of the requested resource before processing any read or write operations. Implementing indirect reference maps, where internal IDs are replaced with random, non-sequential tokens in URLs and API calls, can also reduce the risk of enumeration attacks. Additionally, conducting a thorough code review to identify all instances where direct object references are used without proper access control verification is essential. Regular security testing using dynamic application security testing tools configured to detect IDOR flaws will help ensure that these controls remain effective as the software evolves. This issue aligns with CWE-639 (Insecure Direct Object Reference) and maps to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to unauthorized access via API manipulation, emphasizing the need for strict input validation and context-aware authorization checks in all server-side logic.