CVE-2014-9113 in ProSystem fx Engagement
Summary
by MITRE
CCH Wolters Kluwer ProSystem fx Engagement (aka PFX Engagement) 7.1 and earlier uses weak permissions (Authenticated Users: Modify and Write) for the (1) Pfx.Engagement.WcfServices, (2) PFXEngDesktopService, (3) PFXSYNPFTService, and (4) P2EWinService service files in PFX Engagement\, which allows local users to obtain LocalSystem privileges via a Trojan horse file.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9113 affects CCH Wolters Kluwer ProSystem fx Engagement version 7.1 and earlier, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that stems from improper service permissions. This vulnerability exists within the Windows service architecture of the software, specifically targeting four distinct service components including Pfx.Engagement.WcfServices, PFXEngDesktopService, PFXSYNPFTService, and P2EWinService. The flaw manifests through weak permission settings that grant authenticated users modify and write access to these critical system services, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by local attackers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on a Trojan horse file attack vector where an authenticated local user can place a malicious executable file in the service directory with the appropriate naming convention. When the vulnerable service processes this file, it executes with the elevated privileges of LocalSystem, thereby allowing the attacker to gain full system control. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability that can be categorized under CWE-276, which deals with insecure default permissions, and CWE-732, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources. The flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege by granting unnecessary write permissions to authenticated users who should only have minimal access to system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent system footholds, escalate privileges to administrative levels, and potentially compromise the entire system. The affected services operate with elevated privileges, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. This vulnerability can be exploited in various attack scenarios including lateral movement within networks, persistence establishment, and data exfiltration. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) and T1543 (Create or Modify System Process), highlighting the potential for attackers to leverage this weakness to maintain long-term access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through patching the affected software to version 7.2 or later, which addresses the weak service permissions. Organizations should also implement strict service permission controls and regularly audit service configurations to ensure that only authorized users have write access to system service directories. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by removing unnecessary write permissions from service accounts and implementing proper access controls for service directories. Additionally, system administrators should conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar permission flaws in other software components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure service configuration management and the potential for attackers to exploit weak permissions for system compromise.