Vulnerability Overview

A vulnerability has been discovered in Chained Quiz 1.3.5, a web application designed for online quizzes. The issue is classified as an Unauthenticated Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) vulnerability via cookie, which allows attackers to access and manipulate sensitive data without proper authorization.

This vulnerability arises when an application does not properly validate and authorize user input, particularly through cookies, allowing malicious actors to manipulate these objects directly. In the context of Chained Quiz 1.3.5, this means that an attacker could potentially access, modify, or delete quiz data, user information, or other sensitive resources without needing to authenticate.

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Impact of the Vulnerability

The impact of an Unauthenticated IDOR vulnerability can be significant. Since it allows for the unauthorized access and manipulation of data, it could lead to a variety of malicious activities, including but not limited to:

  • Data Breaches: Unauthorized access to sensitive data, which could include personal user information, quiz questions, and answers, potentially leading to identity theft or the exploitation of intellectual property.
  • Data Tampering: Attackers could modify quiz results, user scores, or even the quiz questions themselves, undermining the integrity of the quizzes and potentially causing financial or reputational damage.
  • Escalation of Privileges: In some cases, exploiting such a vulnerability could provide a pathway for attackers to gain elevated privileges within the application, allowing for even more severe forms of exploitation.

Given the nature of this vulnerability, it is crucial for organizations and individuals using Chained Quiz 1.3.5 to take immediate action to protect their data and systems. This includes updating to a patched version of the software if available, implementing additional security measures such as robust access controls and monitoring for suspicious activity.

Mitigation and Recommendations

To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, the following steps are recommended:

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  • Update Software: Ensure that Chained Quiz is updated to the latest version, which hopefully includes patches for known vulnerabilities.
  • Implement Access Controls: Enforce strict access controls, including authentication and authorization mechanisms, to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and functions.
  • Monitor Activity: Regularly monitor system and application logs for signs of suspicious activity that could indicate an exploit attempt.
  • Secure Cookies: Ensure that cookies are properly secured, using measures such as the Secure and HttpOnly flags, to reduce the risk of cookie tampering.

Organizations must also consider the broader implications of such vulnerabilities for their cybersecurity posture. This includes conducting regular vulnerability assessments, implementing a robust incident response plan, and providing ongoing security awareness training to their users.

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