Unauthenticated configuration endpoint in DRC INSIGHT allows attackers on the same…
Unauthenticated configuration endpoint in DRC INSIGHT allows attackers on the same network to exfiltrate student data, redirect traffic, or disrupt testing services.
A critical authentication bypass vulnerability exists in Data Recognition Corporation's (DRC) INSIGHT software, a web-based platform used for test proctoring in educational institutions. The Central Office Services (COS) component, typically deployed on school or district local area networks, exposes an administrative configuration endpoint (/v0/configuration) without authentication or origin validation. Any unauthenticated user or compromised device with network access to the COS server can submit arbitrary JSON payloads to modify the server's configuration file.
Exploitation enables multiple attack scenarios including exfiltration of student data (test artifacts, responses, audio recordings) by overwriting storage configuration to redirect content to attacker-controlled services, traffic interception through malicious HTTPS proxy injection, and service disruption via malformed configurations. The vulnerability affects organizations that have not yet upgraded to Version 9.2, where DRC has resolved the issue.
Organizations running affected versions should immediately upgrade to Version 9.2. Until patched, network segmentation is critical—COS servers must be isolated from student and guest networks, with firewall rules restricting access to the vulnerable endpoint. Monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes and unexpected outbound connections is essential for detection.
Mentioned in this report
Detection guidance
Unauthenticated Request to DRC INSIGHT Configuration Endpoint
Detects unauthenticated PUT/POST/PATCH requests to the DRC INSIGHT COS /v0/configuration endpoint, indicating exploitation of the unauthenticated configuration API. Auto-generated starting point — validate and tune in your environment before deploying. IOC matches can false-positive on shared infrastructure and decay as adversary infrastructure rotates.
title: Unauthenticated Request to DRC INSIGHT Configuration Endpoint
id: 063a5e4b-d060-5fd0-b9a1-0e2878e4bb86
status: experimental
description: Detects requests to the DRC INSIGHT COS /v0/configuration endpoint that
modify the server configuration without an Authorization header, consistent with
exploitation of CVE-related unauthenticated configuration API.
logsource:
category: webserver
product: null
detection:
selection:
cs-uri-stem|contains: /v0/configuration
cs-method:
- PUT
- POST
- PATCH
filter_auth:
cs-Authorization|exists: true
condition: selection and not filter_auth
fields:
- src_ip
- cs-uri-stem
- cs-method
- sc-status
falsepositives:
- Legitimate admin tooling that has been misconfigured to omit auth headers when calling
internal management APIs
- Internal health-check or monitoring scripts hitting the configuration endpoint
level: high
tags:
- attack.t1190
- attack.initial_access
author: Vorant
DRC INSIGHT Configuration Change Redirecting Storage Destination
Detects configuration payloads submitted to the DRC INSIGHT /v0/configuration endpoint that alter storage/output destination settings, potentially redirecting student test data to an attacker-controlled location. Auto-generated starting point — validate and tune in your environment before deploying. IOC matches can false-positive on shared infrastructure and decay as adversary infrastructure rotates.
title: DRC INSIGHT Configuration Storage Destination Tampering
id: f39d297e-60eb-5411-be77-dceb917cfeda
status: experimental
description: Detects requests to the DRC INSIGHT COS configuration endpoint whose
body contains storage/output destination keys, indicating an attempt to redirect
stored test artifacts (data manipulation / exfiltration staging).
logsource:
category: webserver
product: null
detection:
selection_endpoint:
cs-uri-stem|contains: /v0/configuration
cs-method:
- PUT
- POST
- PATCH
selection_body:
cs-uri-query|contains:
- storageUrl
- storagePath
- outputDestination
- s3Bucket
- uploadEndpoint
condition: selection_endpoint and selection_body
fields:
- src_ip
- cs-uri-stem
- cs-uri-query
falsepositives:
- Legitimate administrative reconfiguration of storage backend during authorized maintenance
windows
level: high
tags:
- attack.t1565.001
- attack.impact
author: Vorant
DRC INSIGHT Configuration Change Injecting HTTPS Proxy
Detects configuration payloads to the DRC INSIGHT /v0/configuration endpoint that introduce or modify HTTPS proxy settings, enabling traffic interception/man-in-the-middle of test session traffic. Auto-generated starting point — validate and tune in your environment before deploying. IOC matches can false-positive on shared infrastructure and decay as adversary infrastructure rotates.
title: DRC INSIGHT Configuration HTTPS Proxy Injection
id: 21a36192-6574-5e34-8db4-c4f5916bbfc5
status: experimental
description: Detects requests to the DRC INSIGHT COS configuration endpoint whose
body contains proxy configuration keys, consistent with injecting a malicious HTTPS
proxy to intercept or relay traffic.
logsource:
category: webserver
product: null
detection:
selection_endpoint:
cs-uri-stem|contains: /v0/configuration
cs-method:
- PUT
- POST
- PATCH
selection_body:
cs-uri-query|contains:
- httpsProxy
- proxyHost
- proxyServer
- proxyUrl
condition: selection_endpoint and selection_body
fields:
- src_ip
- cs-uri-stem
- cs-uri-query
falsepositives:
- Authorized network team configuring an approved forward proxy for the COS server
level: medium
tags:
- attack.t1557.001
- attack.collection
- attack.credential_access
author: Vorant
Behavioural rules are generated from public reporting — validate in your environment before deploying.
Source reporting: https://kb.cert.org/vuls/id/748485
This is the public brief
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