Source: security@huntr.dev
Improper Authorization in GitHub repository froxlor/froxlor prior to 2.0.0-beta1.
Froxlor, a web hosting control panel, suffers from an improper authorization vulnerability, allowing unauthorized users to potentially gain elevated privileges. This flaw could lead to complete system compromise, enabling attackers to control the server and access sensitive data. Successful exploitation grants attackers the ability to modify configurations, access user accounts, and potentially deploy malicious code.
Step 1: Authentication Bypass Attempt: The attacker attempts to bypass the authentication mechanism by crafting a malicious request or exploiting a known authentication weakness.
Step 2: Unauthorized Function Access: The attacker sends a request to a protected endpoint or function within Froxlor that requires elevated privileges (e.g., user creation, configuration modification).
Step 3: Authorization Failure (Exploitation): Due to the improper authorization, the server fails to correctly verify the attacker's permissions. The application does not properly check if the user has the necessary privileges to execute the requested action.
Step 4: Privilege Escalation: The attacker successfully executes the unauthorized action, gaining access to functionality reserved for privileged users. This could include creating new administrator accounts, modifying server configurations, or accessing sensitive data.
Step 5: System Compromise: The attacker leverages the gained privileges to further compromise the system, potentially installing malware, stealing data, or disrupting services.
The vulnerability stems from a flaw in Froxlor's authorization checks. Specifically, the application fails to adequately verify user permissions before allowing access to certain functionalities. This likely involves a missing or incorrect check within the code that handles user authentication and authorization, allowing an attacker to bypass these checks and perform actions they are not authorized to. The root cause is a logic error in the application's access control mechanisms, likely related to how user roles and permissions are managed and enforced. This could be a missing access control check, an incorrect implementation of role-based access control (RBAC), or a vulnerability in how the application handles user sessions and authentication tokens. The flaw allows unauthorized access to sensitive functions, such as user management, configuration changes, and potentially file system access.
While no specific APT groups are definitively linked to CVE-2022-4868, the nature of the vulnerability makes it attractive to various threat actors. The potential for complete system compromise means that both financially motivated and state-sponsored actors could be interested. The vulnerability's impact on web hosting environments also makes it a target for opportunistic attackers. Not in CISA KEV.
Review server logs for suspicious activity, such as unauthorized access attempts, failed login attempts, or unexpected changes to configuration files.
Monitor network traffic for unusual requests to Froxlor's administrative interfaces or endpoints.
Implement intrusion detection systems (IDS) with rules tailored to detect exploitation attempts, such as specific HTTP requests or payloads.
Analyze web server access logs for requests that bypass authentication or authorization mechanisms.
Check for the creation of new administrator accounts or modifications to existing user privileges.
Upgrade to Froxlor version 2.0.0-beta1 or later.
Implement strong authentication and authorization mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Regularly review and audit user permissions to ensure least privilege principles are followed.
Apply the principle of least privilege, granting users only the minimum necessary permissions.
Implement a web application firewall (WAF) to filter malicious traffic and prevent exploitation attempts.
Regularly update and patch the web server and all related software components.
Monitor server logs for suspicious activity and security events.