CVE-2026-4590 Overview
A Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability has been discovered in kalcaddle kodbox version 1.64. The vulnerability affects an unknown function within the file /workspace/source-code/plugins/oauth/controller/bind/index.class.php of the loginSubmit API component. By manipulating the third argument, an attacker can perform CSRF attacks against authenticated users. While the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network, it requires a high degree of complexity and user interaction, making exploitation difficult in practice. The exploit has been publicly released, increasing the risk of opportunistic attacks. The vendor was contacted about this disclosure but did not respond.
Critical Impact
Authenticated users may unknowingly perform unintended actions when tricked into visiting malicious pages, potentially leading to unauthorized account binding or modification of OAuth-related settings.
Affected Products
- kalcaddle kodbox 1.64
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-23 - CVE CVE-2026-4590 published to NVD
- 2026-03-24 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-4590
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as Cross-Site Request Forgery (CWE-352), affecting the OAuth plugin's account binding functionality in kodbox. The vulnerable endpoint /workspace/source-code/plugins/oauth/controller/bind/index.class.php processes the third parameter within the loginSubmit API without proper CSRF token validation. When a user is authenticated to kodbox and visits a malicious page crafted by an attacker, the browser automatically includes the user's session cookies in forged requests to the vulnerable endpoint. This allows attackers to perform actions on behalf of the victim user, particularly around OAuth account binding operations.
The attack requires user interaction—specifically, the victim must click a malicious link or visit a compromised website while authenticated to kodbox. The high attack complexity stems from the need to craft requests that properly manipulate the third argument and the requirement for specific timing and user state conditions.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is the absence of CSRF protection mechanisms in the loginSubmit API endpoint. The application fails to implement anti-CSRF tokens or validate the Origin/Referer headers for state-changing operations involving the third parameter in the OAuth binding flow. This allows external websites to craft requests that the browser will automatically authenticate using the victim's session.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker must craft a malicious webpage containing a forged request targeting the vulnerable endpoint. When an authenticated kodbox user visits this malicious page, their browser executes the forged request with their valid session credentials. The high complexity arises from needing to understand the exact parameter structure and ensuring the victim is in the correct authenticated state.
The vulnerability mechanism involves manipulating the third argument in requests to the loginSubmit API. Without proper CSRF token validation, the server cannot distinguish between legitimate user-initiated requests and forged requests from malicious third-party sites. For detailed technical analysis, refer to the VulnPlus Note and VulDB entry.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-4590
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual OAuth account binding activity in kodbox audit logs, particularly involving the third parameter
- Multiple requests to /workspace/source-code/plugins/oauth/controller/bind/index.class.php from external referrers
- User reports of unauthorized third-party account linkages to their kodbox profiles
Detection Strategies
- Monitor web server access logs for requests to the loginSubmit API endpoint with suspicious or missing Referer headers
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect CSRF attack patterns targeting OAuth endpoints
- Review authentication logs for OAuth binding operations that occur without corresponding user-initiated login flows
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable detailed logging for all OAuth-related operations in kodbox, particularly the bind/index.class.php controller
- Configure alerting for unusual patterns of OAuth account binding requests across multiple user sessions
- Deploy endpoint detection solutions to identify users accessing known malicious domains that may host CSRF exploits
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-4590
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to kodbox OAuth functionality to trusted network segments until a patch is available
- Educate users about CSRF risks and avoiding clicking suspicious links while authenticated to kodbox
- Consider disabling the OAuth plugin entirely if not critical to operations
- Implement network-level controls to limit access to the vulnerable endpoint
Patch Information
No official patch is currently available from the vendor. The vendor was contacted about this disclosure but did not respond. Organizations should monitor the VulDB entry and official kalcaddle kodbox channels for security updates.
Workarounds
- Implement custom CSRF token validation at the reverse proxy or WAF level for requests to the affected endpoint
- Configure SameSite=Strict cookie attributes for kodbox session cookies to prevent cross-origin request attacks
- Use browser-based CSRF protection extensions and train users to log out of kodbox when not actively using it
Organizations using kodbox 1.64 should implement defense-in-depth measures by configuring their reverse proxy to validate Referer headers for sensitive endpoints and requiring explicit user confirmation for OAuth binding operations through custom middleware.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
