Read the Docs Takeover Detection

What is the "Read the Docs Takeover Detection?"

The "Read the Docs Takeover Detection" module is designed to detect potential takeover vulnerabilities in the Read the Docs software. Takeover vulnerabilities can allow unauthorized individuals to gain control over a website or application, potentially leading to data breaches or other security issues. This module focuses on identifying misconfigurations or vulnerabilities that could be exploited to take over a Read the Docs instance.

This module has a severity level of high, indicating that the identified vulnerabilities could have a significant impact on the security and functionality of the Read the Docs software.

The original author of this module is pdteam.

Impact

If a takeover vulnerability is successfully exploited, an attacker could gain unauthorized access to a Read the Docs instance. This could allow them to manipulate the documentation, inject malicious content, or potentially access sensitive information stored within the system. The impact of a takeover can vary depending on the specific actions an attacker takes, but it can have serious consequences for the affected organization.

How does the module work?

The "Read the Docs Takeover Detection" module works by analyzing the configuration and behavior of a Read the Docs instance to identify potential takeover vulnerabilities. It uses a set of matching conditions to determine if the instance exhibits signs of misconfiguration or vulnerability that could be exploited for a takeover.

One of the matching conditions used by this module is to check if the host is not an IP address, which helps filter out potential false positives. Additionally, it checks if the instance contains the phrase "unknown to Read the Docs," which could indicate a misconfiguration or unauthorized presence within the system.

When the module detects a potential takeover vulnerability, it triggers an action to report the vulnerability, allowing the organization to take appropriate measures to address the issue.

While the specific HTTP request templates and matching conditions are not provided in this description, the module uses these elements to perform its analysis and detection. An example of an HTTP request sent by the module could be:

GET /path/to/readthedocs HTTP/1.1
Host: example.com
User-Agent: Vidoc-Scanner/1.0

It's important to note that the module performs its analysis based on the provided JSON definition and does not directly modify or interact with the Read the Docs instance being scanned.

By utilizing the "Read the Docs Takeover Detection" module, organizations can proactively identify and address potential takeover vulnerabilities in their Read the Docs software, enhancing the overall security of their systems.