CVE-2007-4563 in Cosminexus_application_server_standard
Summary
by MITRE
Cosminexus Manager in Cosminexus Application Server 06-50 and later might assign the wrong user s group permissions to logical J2EE server processes, which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4563 affects the Cosminexus Application Server version 06-50 and later, specifically within its Cosminexus Manager component. This issue represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that stems from improper group permission assignment within the J2EE server processes. The flaw exists in the logical server process management system where user group memberships are not correctly enforced, creating a scenario where local users can exploit this misconfiguration to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level within the application server environment, allowing attackers with local access to potentially escalate their privileges to higher-level user accounts or administrative functions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper implementation of access control mechanisms within the Cosminexus Manager. When logical J2EE server processes are initiated, the system fails to correctly validate and assign user group permissions, leading to a situation where processes may inherit incorrect privilege levels. This misconfiguration creates a path for local users to manipulate their group membership assignments or exploit the permission system to gain unauthorized access to resources that should be restricted. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in the principle of least privilege implementation, where the system does not properly enforce the separation of duties between different user groups and their respective access rights. This flaw can be categorized under CWE-276, which deals with incorrect permissions for critical resources, and represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices that should ensure proper access control enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to compromise the entire application server environment. Local users who exploit this vulnerability can potentially access sensitive data, modify application configurations, or even gain administrative control over the server. The attack surface is particularly wide because the vulnerability affects the core server management functionality, meaning that any local access point could serve as an entry vector for privilege escalation. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where application servers often run with elevated privileges and contain sensitive business data. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires only local system access, making it more accessible than network-based attacks that require additional reconnaissance or exploitation steps.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, starting with immediate patching of affected Cosminexus Application Server installations to version 06-50 or later where the issue has been resolved. System administrators should conduct thorough audits of user group assignments and permission configurations to identify any potential misconfigurations that could be exploited. The implementation of proper access control policies and regular privilege reviews should be enforced to minimize the impact of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous privilege escalation attempts or unauthorized changes to group membership assignments. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability aligns with security requirements outlined in standards such as iso 27001 and nist cybersecurity framework, which emphasize the importance of proper access control and privilege management. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of misconfigured permissions to gain elevated access rights. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and principle of least privilege enforcement to limit the potential damage from such vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations in other application server environments and ensure that proper access control mechanisms are in place across the entire infrastructure.