CVE-2017-14086 in OfficeScan
Summary
by MITRE
Pre-authorization Start Remote Process vulnerabilities in Trend Micro OfficeScan 11.0 and XG may allow unauthenticated users who can access the OfficeScan server to start the fcgiOfcDDA.exe executable or cause a potential INI corruption, which may cause the server disk space to be consumed with dump files from continuous HTTP requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14086 represents a critical pre-authorization issue within Trend Micro OfficeScan versions 11.0 and XG that exposes the system to unauthorized remote process execution. This flaw exists in the remote process start functionality, specifically targeting the fcgiOfcDDA.exe executable which serves as a key component in the OfficeScan server architecture. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers who gain access to the OfficeScan server to initiate arbitrary processes without proper authentication mechanisms, creating a significant security breach that undermines the integrity of the system's access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks during the remote process execution workflow. When an attacker can establish communication with the OfficeScan server, they can exploit this weakness to launch the fcgiOfcDDA.exe process directly, bypassing normal authentication procedures. This executable is typically responsible for handling various server-side operations and when invoked without proper authorization, it can be leveraged to perform malicious activities. The vulnerability also introduces the potential for INI file corruption, which can lead to system instability and further exploitation opportunities. The attack vector specifically involves continuous HTTP requests that can trigger the vulnerable process repeatedly, creating a cascading effect that consumes system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14086 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, creating a potential denial of service scenario through disk space exhaustion. When attackers continuously send HTTP requests to trigger the vulnerable process, the system generates dump files that accumulate on the server's storage, leading to rapid disk space consumption. This behavior can effectively render the server unusable as storage becomes depleted, while simultaneously consuming CPU and memory resources through the continuous process execution. The vulnerability's potential for resource exhaustion aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack mitigation frameworks and represents a significant threat to business continuity. Organizations relying on OfficeScan for endpoint protection face the risk of complete service disruption through this vulnerability.
Security practitioners should address this vulnerability through immediate patch management procedures and network segmentation strategies. The primary mitigation involves applying the official Trend Micro patches released to address the authorization flaw in the remote process execution mechanism. Additionally, implementing network access controls to restrict direct server access and monitoring for unusual HTTP request patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and can be mapped to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and denial of service categories. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for the specific HTTP request patterns associated with this vulnerability and establish baseline monitoring for abnormal disk space consumption patterns that could indicate exploitation.