Microsoft’s Power Pages platform, utilized by diverse organizations for creating data-driven websites, faces security challenges due to misconfigurations. The platform’s widespread adoption, including by significant entities like the National Health Service, underscores the potential impact of these vulnerabilities. While Power Pages offers a user-friendly low-code solution, the ease of setup may contribute to inadvertent security oversights.
Previous reports have highlighted the importance of secure configurations in low-code platforms. However, recent findings by AppOmni reveal more extensive data exposure issues within Power Pages. Unlike earlier concerns focused on specific vulnerabilities, this new research emphasizes systemic configuration errors that can lead to large-scale data breaches.
How Misconfigurations Expose Sensitive Data
AppOmni’s research identifies that incorrect access settings on Power Pages websites can inadvertently expose significant amounts of information. For instance, a service provider for England’s NHS was found leaking data of over 1.1 million employees, including personal contact details. These exposures occur when websites grant excessive permissions to users who have not properly authenticated, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data through the platform’s APIs.
Challenges with Role-Based Access Controls
The platform’s role-based access control system categorizes users as “Anonymous Users” or “Authenticated Users.” Misconfigurations can result in “Authenticated Users” being treated as internal users with elevated privileges. Additionally, assigning “Global Access” to roles like “Anonymous Users” can permit unrestricted access to all data, exacerbating the risk of data leaks.
Security Measures and Recommendations
Despite Power Pages’ multiple security layers—site, table, column, and record levels—improper setup remains a common issue. AppOmni advises organizations to meticulously review their access controls and ensure that permissions are appropriately configured.
“It’s clear that organizations need to prioritize security when managing external-facing websites, and balance ease of use with security in SaaS platforms,”
stated Aaron Costello, AppOmni’s chief of SaaS security research. Organizations should also heed Power Pages’ built-in warnings and customize security settings to mitigate potential risks.
The latest findings build on earlier understandings of Power Pages’ security framework, highlighting that the core issue lies in deployment practices rather than inherent platform vulnerabilities. By comparing past incidents, it becomes evident that ongoing vigilance and proper configuration are crucial in preventing data breaches.
Effectively managing access controls and adhering to recommended security practices can significantly reduce the risk of data exposure. Organizations must implement rigorous checks on their Power Pages configurations and leverage the platform’s security features to safeguard sensitive information. Continuous monitoring and education on secure setup protocols are essential steps in maintaining data integrity.
