An Improper Access Control vulnerability has been found in EmbedAI 2.1 and below. This vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to obtain files stored by others users by changing the "FILE_ID" of the endpoint "/embedai/files/show/<FILE_ID>". This medium-severity vulnerability poses a significant risk as it can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, which is crucial for organizations relying on EmbedAI for file management.
With a CVSS score of 5.8, this vulnerability requires organizations to assess their exposure and implement necessary mitigations. The potential for exploitation exists, and organizations must take immediate action to protect their data.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to address this vulnerability and prevent any unauthorized access to sensitive files.
The vulnerability was disclosed on January 30, 2025, and has been classified under CWE-284, indicating improper access control, which is a common security flaw in applications.
Given the ability for authenticated users to access files not intended for them, organizations must remain vigilant and conduct thorough security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their applications.
Vulnerability Details
An Improper Access Control vulnerability has been found in EmbedAI 2.1 and below. This vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to obtain files stored by others users by changing the "FILE_ID" of the endpoint "/embedai/files/show/<FILE_ID>".
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.8, indicating a medium severity level. This score reflects the moderate impact of potential exploitation on confidentiality, with a low impact on integrity and availability.
The affected product is EmbedAI from the vendor thesamur. The vulnerability was published on January 30, 2025, and is classified under CWE-284.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within EmbedAI. An attacker can exploit this by modifying the "FILE_ID" in the URL to access unauthorized files. The attack vector is network-based, requiring low complexity and no user interaction, as the attacker only needs valid authentication.
The attack does not require any privileges beyond user authentication, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on this application for sensitive file storage.
The potential confidentiality impact of this vulnerability is classified as low, but given that unauthorized access to user files can lead to sensitive data exposure, organizations must treat this vulnerability seriously.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive files stored in EmbedAI. Since the vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to exploit the application, the blast radius can be significant, affecting multiple users and their data.
Organizations should assess their exposure based on their deployment of EmbedAI and the sensitivity of the data handled by the application. Given the medium severity of this vulnerability, organizations are encouraged to address it in their priority patch cycle.
The exploitation status is currently unknown, but organizations should remain vigilant to detect any potential abuse of this vulnerability in the wild.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected version is EmbedAI 2.1 and below. Organizations using these versions should take immediate action to patch and secure their applications.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize applying the latest patches for EmbedAI to address this vulnerability. If a patch is not available, consider implementing strict access controls and monitoring user activity for unauthorized access attempts.
For a thorough security assessment, organizations can utilize penetration testing services to identify vulnerabilities within their systems.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring user access logs for suspicious activity can help detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Look for unusual access patterns to files that do not belong to the authenticated user.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability underscores the need for robust access control mechanisms in applications. Security teams should learn from this case to strengthen their defenses against similar vulnerabilities.
Pattern analysis suggests that improper access controls are a recurring issue in application security. Organizations should adopt a proactive approach to vulnerability management, ensuring regular security assessments and updates.
For further insights on application security, consider reviewing our article on vulnerability management programs and how to effectively implement them.
Leveraging continuous security testing can also help organizations maintain a strong security posture against evolving threats. For more information, explore our guide on continuous security testing to ensure effective vulnerability management.
Finally, consider engaging in red teaming exercises to simulate real-world attack scenarios and discover potential weaknesses in your defenses. Our article on red teaming can provide valuable insights into strengthening your security measures.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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