An issue was discovered in REDCap 14.9.6. It has an action=myprojects&logout=1 CSRF issue in the alert-title while performing an upload of a CSV file containing a list of alert configuration. An attacker can send the victim a CSV file containing an HTML injection payload in the alert-title. Once the victim uploads the file, he automatically lands on a page to view the uploaded data. If the victim clicks on the alert-title value, it can trigger a logout request and terminate their session, or redirect to a phishing website. This vulnerability stems from the absence of CSRF protections on the logout functionality.
With a CVSS score of 3.4, this vulnerability is classified as low severity. However, organizations should be aware of the risks associated with CSRF vulnerabilities, including the potential for user session hijacking or phishing attacks. As this vulnerability affects a widely used system, such as REDCap, proactive steps should be taken to mitigate the risk.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to user accounts and potential data exposure. While the exploitability is rated as low due to the high attack complexity and the requirement for user interaction, organizations should prioritize remediation efforts to ensure user safety.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Ensuring that CSRF protections are in place on critical functionalities like logout is essential to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The official CVE description states that this vulnerability allows for a CSRF issue in the alert-title during the upload of a CSV file. The affected product is REDCap version 14.9.6, and the vulnerability has been classified under CWE-352. The CVSS score from NVD is 8.8, indicating a high severity level with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the lack of CSRF protections in the logout functionality. The attack vector is network-based, and the complexity is high, requiring the victim to interact with the malicious CSV file. No privileges are required for the attack, and user interaction is necessary, as the victim must upload the file for the attack to succeed.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risks include the potential for attackers to exploit this vulnerability to hijack user sessions, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data. The blast radius is significant due to the widespread use of REDCap in academic and research institutions. Organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation based on the CVSS score and the potential impact of exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The specific version affected is REDCap 14.9.6. Organizations using this version should consider upgrading to the latest version to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately and ensure that CSRF protections are implemented on the logout functionality. For those unable to apply the patch immediately, implementing strict input validation and sanitization on file uploads can help mitigate the risk. Regular security assessments and penetration testing can also identify potential vulnerabilities.penetration testing services are recommended to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual file upload activities and check for unexpected logout requests triggered by users. Behavioral anomalies in user sessions, especially around CSV file uploads, should be flagged for investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability highlights the importance of CSRF protections in web applications, especially those handling sensitive data. Organizations must learn from this incident to bolster their defenses and consider adopting a more proactive security posture.
For more insights on effective security measures, organizations can review our blog on security testing best practices or explore our approach to penetration testing methodology to enhance their security framework.
Additionally, understanding the evolving threat landscape through resources like our vulnerability management program can provide critical insights for organizations seeking to fortify their defenses.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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