CVE-2018-10211 is a security vulnerability identified in Vaultize Enterprise File Sharing version 17.05.31. The vulnerability arises from improper authorization controls when a user attempts to list the history of another user’s files or activities. Specifically, the issue is triggered by manipulating the "vaultize_session_id" cookie value, which is used to maintain session state and user identity. By modifying this cookie, an attacker can bypass authorization checks and gain unauthorized access to another user’s file history. This flaw indicates a failure in the server-side validation of session tokens, allowing session fixation or session impersonation attacks. The vulnerability does not require any known exploits in the wild as of the published date, and no CVSS score has been assigned. However, the core issue is a broken access control vulnerability that compromises confidentiality by exposing sensitive user activity data to unauthorized parties. Since the vulnerability involves session cookie manipulation, it likely requires the attacker to have some level of access to the victim’s session or the ability to intercept or guess valid session IDs. The lack of patch information suggests that remediation details are either not publicly disclosed or the vendor has not released an update addressing this issue. This vulnerability is critical in environments where sensitive file sharing and audit trails are essential for compliance and security, as unauthorized access to user histories can lead to privacy violations, insider threat exploitation, or further lateral movement within an organization’s network.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2018-10211 can be significant, especially for those handling sensitive or regulated data such as personal information under GDPR, intellectual property, or confidential business documents. Unauthorized access to file sharing histories can lead to exposure of user activities, potentially revealing sensitive operational details or user behavior patterns. This breach of confidentiality can result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust. Additionally, attackers leveraging this vulnerability might escalate their access or conduct further attacks by exploiting the information gained from user histories. Organizations in sectors like finance, healthcare, legal, and government are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their data and the strict compliance requirements they face. The vulnerability also undermines the integrity of audit logs and user activity records, which are critical for forensic investigations and compliance audits. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it could be exploited by insiders or external attackers who have gained partial access, increasing the risk of insider threats or targeted attacks.

To mitigate CVE-2018-10211, European organizations using Vaultize Enterprise File Sharing should: 1) Immediately review and restrict access to session management mechanisms, ensuring that session IDs are securely generated, stored, and validated server-side without relying solely on client-side data. 2) Implement strict server-side authorization checks that verify the user’s identity against requested resources, preventing unauthorized access through manipulated cookies. 3) Employ secure cookie attributes such as HttpOnly, Secure, and SameSite to reduce the risk of session hijacking or fixation. 4) Monitor and audit access logs for unusual session activity or attempts to access other users’ histories. 5) Engage with the vendor or community to obtain patches or updates addressing this vulnerability; if unavailable, consider alternative secure file sharing solutions. 6) Educate users on secure session practices and encourage the use of multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of session compromise. 7) Conduct penetration testing focused on session management and access control to identify and remediate similar issues proactively.