How I Discovered a Critical Vulnerability and Took Over an Organization Using Burp Suite

Hey there, it’s Adnan from Tamil Nadu! 🌟

What started as a casual exploration of a website led me to uncover a serious security flaw that allowed me to take over an entire organization’s account. What I initially thought was a simple “forgot password” feature turned into a major discovery with potentially catastrophic implications. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how I stumbled upon this vulnerability and what it means for cybersecurity.

While browsing the site (URL redacted), I noticed a “forgot password” link. Instead of the usual email or username request, the system asked for a staff or organization ID. This unusual request piqued my curiosity and set the stage for deeper investigation.

To get the organization ID, I turned to Google Dorking — a technique for uncovering hidden information with advanced search queries. After some targeted searches, I found the organization ID needed to proceed with the password reset.

Armed with the ID, I launched Burp Suite, a powerful tool for intercepting and analyzing HTTP traffic. I configured Burp Suite to run in the background, capturing all requests and responses between the client and server during the password reset process. This allowed me to see exactly how the application handled these requests.

I initiated a password reset, and as expected, the system sent an OTP (one-time password) to the registered mobile number of the organization’s admin. Here’s where things started to get interesting. 📲

While examining the API responsible for the password reset in Burp Suite, I discovered that it was fetching sensitive information about the organization’s admin, including their mobile number. This was a crucial moment because it meant I could potentially intercept and manipulate the OTP process.

Using Burp Suite’s interception feature, I edited the API request to replace the admin’s mobile number with my personal phone number. I then forwarded the modified request to the server.

To my surprise, the server accepted the modified request without validating the change in the phone number. The OTP was sent directly to my phone. With this OTP, I was able to complete the password reset and gain full access to the organization’s account.

With admin access, I had control over the organization’s internal system. This included sensitive information about employees, staff, and more. The potential impact of this breach was enormous, highlighting severe security shortcomings.

This discovery underscores the critical need for secure API design and robust validation processes. The ability to change the admin’s phone number and intercept the OTP demonstrates a serious lapse in security measures. Such vulnerabilities could lead to:

While I successfully exploited this vulnerability, my goal was to highlight the importance of robust security practices. Here are some recommendations for improving security:

I reported this vulnerability to the appropriate parties to ensure it would be addressed and the organization’s data secured. For developers and security professionals, regular audits and adherence to best practices are essential to preventing similar breaches. And for ethical hackers, always prioritize responsible disclosure.

Stay secure and vigilant,
Adnan 🌐