CVE-2009-0695 in Wyse Device Manager
Summary
by MITRE
hagent.exe in Wyse Device Manager (WDM) 4.7.x does not require authentication for commands, which allows remote attackers to obtain management access via a crafted query, as demonstrated by a V52 query that triggers a power-off action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0695 affects Wyse Device Manager version 4.7.x where the hagent.exe component lacks proper authentication mechanisms for command execution. This represents a critical security flaw that fundamentally undermines the integrity of the device management system. The absence of authentication requirements creates an open attack surface where unauthorized parties can execute administrative commands remotely without any verification of identity or authorization. The specific demonstration of this vulnerability involves a crafted V52 query that can trigger a power-off action, illustrating how seemingly benign query mechanisms can be weaponized for destructive purposes.
This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient authentication as classified by CWE-287, which specifically addresses scenarios where authentication checks are either missing or improperly implemented. The flaw directly enables privilege escalation and unauthorized access to device management functions, creating a pathway for attackers to assume control over managed devices. The technical implementation of hagent.exe appears to process incoming commands without validating the sender's credentials or permissions, making it susceptible to exploitation through crafted network requests. The V52 query mechanism serves as the attack vector, demonstrating how protocol-level weaknesses can be leveraged to execute arbitrary commands with administrative privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential system disruption and data compromise. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to perform power-off actions on managed devices, potentially causing service interruptions and operational downtime. This capability allows for denial-of-service attacks that can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where device availability is critical. The vulnerability also opens the door for more sophisticated attacks where attackers might use the initial access to deploy additional malicious payloads or establish persistent access points within the network. From an attack chain perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials and abuse of remote services, as attackers can leverage the authenticated command execution to maintain access and escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper authentication mechanisms for all management interfaces and command execution points. Organizations should immediately apply available patches or updates from Wyse to address this authentication gap in the hagent.exe component. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the WDM management ports and services to trusted networks only. Additional security controls including multi-factor authentication for management interfaces and network monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure configuration practices and regular security assessments of management systems to identify similar authentication weaknesses that could be exploited by threat actors.