CVE-2017-14080 in Mobile Security
Summary
by MITRE
Authentication bypass vulnerability in Trend Micro Mobile Security (Enterprise) versions before 9.7 Patch 3 allows attackers to access a specific part of the console using a blank password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14080 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Trend Micro Mobile Security Enterprise software versions prior to 9.7 Patch 3. This weakness specifically targets the administrative console access mechanism, creating a pathway for unauthorized individuals to gain entry into sensitive system components without proper credential validation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication controls that fail to properly enforce credential requirements for accessing certain administrative functions within the mobile security platform.
This authentication bypass occurs due to a flaw in the password validation process where the system accepts blank credentials for specific console access points. The technical implementation fails to adequately verify the authenticity of user credentials, allowing attackers to exploit this weakness by simply submitting empty password fields. The vulnerability exists at the application level within the authentication module, specifically affecting the administrative interface components that manage mobile security policies and configurations. This flaw aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, particularly those involving weak or missing authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to administrative functions within the Trend Micro Mobile Security Enterprise console. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially manipulate security policies, view sensitive configuration data, modify device management settings, and gain access to comprehensive mobile security reporting features. The compromised access points could enable attackers to disable security protections, create backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data from mobile device management systems. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the mobile security infrastructure, potentially affecting thousands of managed devices within enterprise environments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the available patch updates from Trend Micro to address the authentication bypass issue. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the 9.7 Patch 3 release which contains the necessary code modifications to properly validate authentication credentials. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit administrative access to the console, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of administrative access logs to identify any potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and regular security assessments will help strengthen overall security posture against similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication controls in enterprise security platforms and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access.