CVE-2020-5231: apereo opencast Improper Authorization

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2020-5231 is a medium (CVSS 6.5) Improper Authorization vulnerability in apereo opencast. EPSS estimates a 0.63% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 49% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Timeline

1. 30-01-2020
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 04-08-2024
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

In Opencast before 7.6 and 8.1, users with the role ROLE_COURSE_ADMIN can use the user-utils endpoint to create new users not including the role ROLE_ADMIN. ROLE_COURSE_ADMIN is a non-standard role in Opencast which is referenced neither in the documentation nor in any code (except for tests) but only in the security configuration. From the name – implying an admin for a specific course – users would never expect that this role allows user creation. This issue is fixed in 7.6 and 8.1 which both ship a new default security configuration.

• CWE-285Improper AuthorizationThe product does not perform or incorrectly performs an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.
• CWE-276Incorrect Default PermissionsDuring installation, installed file permissions are set to allow anyone to modify those files.