Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities

Critical Data Exposure in Youlai-Boot: CVE-2025-55471 Deep Dive

Overview

CVE-2025-55471 identifies a critical vulnerability affecting Youlai-boot version 2.21.1. Specifically, an incorrect access control implementation within the getUserFormData function allows unauthorized users to potentially access sensitive information belonging to other users of the system. This could lead to a significant breach of confidentiality and potentially compromise user accounts and data.

Technical Details

The vulnerability resides in the getUserFormData function of Youlai-boot v2.21.1. The code lacks proper authorization checks, allowing an attacker to potentially manipulate requests to retrieve data intended for other users. By crafting specific requests or exploiting weaknesses in session management or user identification, an attacker could bypass intended access restrictions. The specifics of how this is achieved are detailed in the proof-of-concept.

The reported issue suggests that the lack of proper input validation and user context verification within the getUserFormData function allows attackers to query the system for sensitive information associated with arbitrary user IDs. This can happen if the function doesn’t properly authenticate and authorize the current user before retrieving and returning user-specific data. Attackers might exploit this by sending crafted requests with manipulated user IDs, effectively bypassing the intended access controls.

CVSS Analysis

At the time of this writing, the CVSS score for CVE-2025-55471 is marked as N/A. This is likely because the vulnerability is newly discovered, and a full CVSS assessment has not yet been conducted. However, given the potential for sensitive data exposure, it is expected to receive a high CVSS score, potentially in the High or Critical range, depending on the ease of exploitation and the sensitivity of the exposed data.

Possible Impact

The impact of CVE-2025-55471 can be significant. A successful exploit could allow attackers to:

  • Access sensitive user information such as personal details, contact information, and potentially even authentication credentials.
  • Potentially modify user data if the exposed information allows for privilege escalation.
  • Compromise user accounts, leading to unauthorized access and misuse of the system.
  • Damage the reputation of the application and the organization responsible for it.

Mitigation or Patch Steps

To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-55471, it is highly recommended to take the following steps:

  • Upgrade to a patched version of Youlai-boot: Check the Youlai-boot repository for an updated version that addresses this vulnerability. Apply the patch as soon as it becomes available.
  • Implement Strong Access Controls: Review and strengthen the access control mechanisms within the getUserFormData function. Ensure that proper authentication and authorization checks are in place to verify the user’s identity and prevent unauthorized access to data.
  • Input Validation and Sanitization: Implement robust input validation and sanitization techniques to prevent attackers from manipulating requests and bypassing access controls.
  • Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Implement monitoring systems to detect any unusual activity or suspicious requests that may indicate an attempted exploit.
  • Consider a temporary workaround (if a patch is not immediately available): Disable or restrict access to the vulnerable getUserFormData function until a proper patch can be applied. This should be done with careful consideration of the functionality it provides and the potential impact of disabling it.

References

Cybersecurity specialist and founder of Gowri Shankar Infosec - a professional blog dedicated to sharing actionable insights on cybersecurity, data protection, server administration, and compliance frameworks including SOC 2, PCI DSS, and GDPR.

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