CVE-2017-11356 in PEGA Platform
Summary
by MITRE
The application distribution export functionality in PEGA Platform 7.2 ML0 and earlier allows remote authenticated users with certain privileges to obtain sensitive configuration information by leveraging a missing access control.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11356 resides within the PEGA Platform version 7.2 ML0 and earlier, specifically targeting the application distribution export functionality. This security flaw represents a critical access control weakness that enables remote authenticated users to exploit a privilege escalation path. The vulnerability manifests when users with certain privileges attempt to access configuration information through the export mechanism, bypassing intended security controls that should restrict such access to authorized personnel only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a missing access control check within the application distribution export functionality. When authenticated users invoke the export feature, the system fails to properly validate whether the requesting user possesses adequate permissions to access the sensitive configuration data being exported. This missing validation creates an unauthorized access vector where users can retrieve information that should be restricted based on their role within the system. The flaw operates at the application logic level, where proper authorization checks are either absent or inadequately implemented, allowing privilege escalation through legitimate system interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with sensitive configuration details that could facilitate further exploitation. The exported configuration information may contain system parameters, database connection strings, security settings, or other sensitive data that could be leveraged for additional attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using PEGA Platform versions prior to 7.2 ML1, where the access control mechanism was not properly enforced during the export process. The remote nature of the attack means that an authenticated user could potentially exploit this vulnerability from any location, making it a significant concern for organizations with distributed user bases.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the official patches provided by PEGA. The mitigation strategy involves implementing proper access control validation within the export functionality, ensuring that all user requests are properly authenticated and authorized before granting access to sensitive configuration data. This remediation aligns with the principle of least privilege as defined in cybersecurity best practices and addresses the specific weakness identified in the CWE-284 access control vulnerability category. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 legitimate credentials, as it allows unauthorized access to system information through legitimate authenticated user sessions.
Security teams should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous access patterns during export operations, particularly when users attempt to access configuration data they would not normally require. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive access control testing during application development and regular security assessments to identify missing authorization checks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional logging and audit controls around export functionality to provide visibility into who is accessing what configuration information and when. The remediation process requires careful testing to ensure that legitimate business functions remain operational while addressing the specific access control gap that enables this vulnerability.