CVE-2014-3684 in TORQUE Resource Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The tm_adopt function in lib/Libifl/tm.c in Terascale Open-Source Resource and Queue Manager (aka TORQUE Resource Manager) 5.0.x, 4.5.x, 4.2.x, and earlier does not validate that the owner of the process also owns the adopted session id, which allows remote authenticated users to kill arbitrary processes via a crafted executable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3684 resides within the Terascale Open-Source Resource and Queue Manager TORQUE Resource Manager, specifically in the tm_adopt function located in lib/Libifl/tm.c. This critical flaw affects versions 5.0.x, 4.5.x, 4.2.x, and earlier releases, creating a significant security risk for systems that rely on this resource management framework. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation mechanisms that fail to verify ownership relationships between processes and session identifiers, fundamentally undermining the integrity of process management operations.
The technical flaw manifests in the tm_adopt function's failure to perform proper authentication checks when processing adopted session identifiers. When a process attempts to adopt a session, the function accepts session identifiers without verifying that the requesting process owner maintains legitimate ownership rights over the target session. This absence of ownership validation creates a privilege escalation vector where authenticated users can manipulate session identifiers to gain control over processes they should not be able to access. The vulnerability specifically exploits the lack of session ownership verification, allowing attackers to craft malicious executable payloads that can target arbitrary processes across the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating substantial risks for system integrity and security posture. Remote authenticated attackers can leverage this flaw to execute process termination commands against any process running on the system, regardless of ownership or authorization status. This capability enables attackers to disrupt critical services, terminate legitimate user sessions, or potentially execute denial-of-service attacks that could compromise system availability. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only authenticated access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share system resources, as it allows for lateral movement and unauthorized process manipulation that could escalate to full system compromise.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of TORQUE Resource Manager, applying the vendor-provided security patches, and implementing additional access controls to limit authenticated user privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1499, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code to disrupt services. Organizations should also consider implementing process monitoring and audit logging to detect unauthorized process termination attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and principle of least privilege enforcement can help limit the potential impact of exploitation, while regular security assessments should verify that proper access controls are in place to prevent unauthorized session identifier manipulation.