CVE-2018-14886 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

In Odoo Community 11.0 and earlier, as well as Odoo Enterprise 11.0 and earlier, a vulnerability exists in the module-description renderer that allows authenticated users to access and read local files, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2018-14886

This CVE identifies a security flaw in Odoo versions that could be exploited by authenticated users with sufficient privileges to read local files.

What is CVE-2018-14886?

The module-description renderer in Odoo Community 11.0 and earlier and Odoo Enterprise 11.0 and earlier does not properly disable RST's local file inclusion, enabling privileged authenticated users to read local files through a crafted module description.

The Impact of CVE-2018-14886

This vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in local files, posing a risk to data confidentiality and integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-14886

The technical aspects of this CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

The module-description renderer in affected Odoo versions allows for the exploitation of local file inclusion, enabling unauthorized access to local files.

Affected Systems and Versions

Odoo Community 11.0 and earlier
Odoo Enterprise 11.0 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by authenticated users with sufficient privileges leveraging the local file inclusion feature in the RST.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-14886, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Odoo promptly.
Restrict access to the affected systems to authorized personnel only.
Monitor and review user permissions regularly to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
Educate users on secure coding practices and the importance of data protection.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Odoo.
Implement a robust patch management process to ensure timely application of security fixes.