Privilege escalation via unrestricted DWR permission endpoints
Published Jul 26, 2024 · Updated Feb 24, 2026
Incorrect authorization in dotCMS core 4.2.1 through 23.01.19 allows remote authenticated users to impersonate users and modify roles. UserSessionAjax.getSessionList.dwr returns every user's session ID without checking the Login As permission, while RoleAjax.saveRolePermission.dwr accepts unauthorized permission changes. Back-end access with administrative rights is required; exposed sessions and writable permissions enable unlogged impersonation, token creation, and privilege escalation.
Summary
What happened
Incorrect authorization in dotCMS core 4.2.1 through 23.01.19 allows remote authenticated users to impersonate users and modify roles. UserSessionAjax.getSessionList.dwr returns every user's session ID without checking the Login As permission, while RoleAjax.saveRolePermission.dwr accepts unauthorized permission changes. Back-end access with administrative rights is required; exposed sessions and writable permissions enable unlogged impersonation, token creation, and privilege escalation.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-4447
- Published
- Jul 26, 2024
- Updated
- Feb 24, 2026
- Vendor
- dotCMS
- Product
- dotCMS
- Classifications
- CWE-863, CAPEC-131, T1550.004
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 26, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 24, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=4.2.1 <23.01.20
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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