External risk intelligence

October CMS Account Takeover Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2021-32648

A vulnerability in October CMS allows attackers to gain unauthorized account access through a crafted password reset request. This impacts organizations using affected versions of the october/system package, potentially compromising user data and system integrity. The realistic business risk involves unauthorized acces

4Halo Surface Signal

Authentication Bypass

Octobercms October

1.1.1 to before 1.1.51.0.471

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2021-32648

October CMS is a web application platform. Web applications are commonly deployed as internet-facing services, making their authentication endpoints and password reset functionalities typically reachable from the public internet.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

The October CMS platform, specifically the october/system package, has a vulnerability that allows unauthorized access. An attacker can exploit this flaw by initiating a password reset and then using a specially crafted request to gain control of an account. This can lead to significant business risk, affecting data confidentiality and integrity.

  • October CMS accounts
  • Flaw allows unauthorized account access
  • Compromised user data and system integrity

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can exploit a vulnerability in October CMS by manipulating the password reset process. This allows an unauthorized individual to gain access to a user's account without proper authentication. The exploitation requires no special privileges and can be initiated remotely, posing a significant risk to user accounts and the platform's integrity.

  • Exposed password reset functionality
  • Specially crafted request sent
  • Attacker gains account access

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

The identified vulnerability in the October CMS platform could allow an unauthorized individual to gain access to user accounts. This could occur by exploiting a flaw in the account password reset process through a specially crafted request. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information or the ability to make changes within the compromised account, posing a significant risk to the organization's data integrity and business operations.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Low
  • Required access or conditions: Internet access to the platform.
  • Business risk or urgency: High

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability in October CMS allows an attacker to gain unauthorized account access through a specially crafted password reset request. Organizations utilizing affected versions of the october/system package should prioritize addressing this security risk to protect user accounts and sensitive data from compromise. The issue impacts the integrity and confidentiality of user data, presenting a significant business risk.

  • Find affected October CMS assets.
  • Isolate or block exposed password reset functions.
  • Apply vendor updates and verify implementation.
  • Monitor for related unauthorized access attempts.

Frequently asked questions

What is October CMS and what is its primary function?

October CMS is a content management system built on the Laravel PHP Framework, designed for the creation and management of websites and web applications.

What type of vulnerability does CVE-2021-32648 represent in October CMS?

CVE-2021-32648 is an improper authentication vulnerability in October CMS's handling of account password resets, allowing unauthorized access.

How can an attacker exploit the October CMS vulnerability?

An attacker can exploit this by initiating a password reset for an account and then sending a specially crafted request to bypass security checks and gain access.

What is the significance of CVE-2021-32648 for organizations using October CMS?

This vulnerability, classified as CRITICAL, allows attackers to gain unauthorized account access, posing a significant risk to data confidentiality and integrity.

What steps should be taken to address the October CMS vulnerability?

Organizations should identify affected assets, isolate exposed password reset functions if possible, apply vendor updates (Build 472 and v1.1.5 or later), and monitor for suspicious activity.

References

Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)

Sources: malpedia