CVE-2017-11387 in Control Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Authentication Bypass in Trend Micro Control Manager 6.0 causes Information Disclosure when authentication validation is not done for functionality that can change debug logging level. Formerly ZDI-CAN-4512.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11387 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in Trend Micro Control Manager version 6.0 that directly enables unauthorized information disclosure through improper access control mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication validation within the application's debug logging functionality, allowing attackers to manipulate logging levels without proper credential verification. The issue affects the core security architecture of the control manager by creating a backdoor access path that bypasses normal authentication procedures, fundamentally undermining the system's security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the application's handling of debug logging configuration parameters where the system fails to validate user credentials before permitting changes to logging levels. This flaw creates a condition where any authenticated user or potentially unauthenticated attacker can modify debug settings that may expose sensitive operational information, system configurations, or internal processing details. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication validation process for administrative functions, where the system should enforce strict access controls but instead allows privilege escalation through debug interface manipulation. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and mandatory access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11387 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks through the exposure of system internals and operational configurations. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can gain visibility into system debugging information that may reveal implementation details, internal data structures, or operational patterns that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and its exploitation patterns correspond to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and credential access domains. Organizations using Trend Micro Control Manager 6.0 face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive operational data, potential system compromise through information gathering, and possible lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper authentication validation for all administrative functions including debug logging controls. System administrators should ensure that all configuration changes requiring elevated privileges are properly authenticated and logged, implementing strict access controls that enforce mandatory authentication for any system modification. The recommended remediation includes applying the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address the authentication bypass mechanism, while also implementing network segmentation and monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential authentication bypass vulnerabilities within their Trend Micro implementations and ensure that all administrative interfaces properly enforce authorization checks as mandated by security standards including those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 requirements for access control management.