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GHSA-94qw-r73x-j7hg

MediumCVSS 4.8 / 10
Published Jan 30, 2020·Last modified Mar 13, 2026
Affected Components(0)

No affected components available

Description

Impact

Users with the role ROLE_COURSE_ADMIN can use the user-utils endpoint to create new users not including the role ROLE_ADMIN. For example:

# Use the admin to create a new user with ROLE_COURSE_ADMIN using the admin user.
# We expect this to work.
% curl -i -u admin:opencast 'https://example.opencast.org/user-utils/xy.json' -X PUT \
  --data 'password=f&roles=%5B%22ROLE_COURSE_ADMIN%22%5D'
HTTP/2 201

# Use the new user to create more new users.
# We don't expüect a user with just role ROLE_COURSE_ADMIN to succeed.
# But it does work
% curl -i -u xy:f 'https://example.opencast.org/user-utils/ab.json' -X PUT \
  --data 'password=f&roles=%5B%22ROLE_COURSE_ADMIN%22%5D'
HTTP/2 201

ROLE_COURSE_ADMIN is a non-standard role in Opencast which is referenced neither in the documentation nor in any code (except for tests) but only in the security configuration. From the name – implying an admin for a specific course – users would never expect that this role allows user creation.

Patches

This issue is fixed in 7.6 and 8.1 which both ship a new default security configuration.

Workarounds

You can fix this issue by removing all instances of ROLE_COURSE_ADMIN in your organization's security configuration (etc/security/mh_default_org.xml by default).

For more information

If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:

  • Open an issue in opencast/opencast
  • For security-relevant information, email us at security@opencast.org
Risk Scores
Base Score
4.8

The vulnerability can be exploited over the network without needing physical access. It is easy for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker needs high-level or administrative privileges. The attacker needs the user to perform some action, like clicking a link. The vulnerability can affect other systems as well, not just the initial system. There is a low impact on the confidentiality of the information. There is a low impact on the integrity of the data.

Threat Intelligence
4.4

Exploitation attempts have been detected. Elevated vigilance and prompt remediation are advised.

EPSS
0.63%

The exploit probability is very low. The vulnerability is unlikely to be exploited in the next 30 days.

Exploit
Not available

We did not find any exploit available. Neither in GitHub repositories nor in the Exploit-Database.

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