CVE-2017-14124 in eLux
Summary
by MITRE
In eLux RP 5.x before 5.5.1000 LTSR and 5.6.x before 5.6.2 CR when classic desktop mode is used, it is possible to start applications other than defined, even if the user does not have permissions to change application definitions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14124 affects the eLux RP platform version 5.x prior to 5.5.1000 LTSR and 5.6.x prior to 5.6.2 CR when operating in classic desktop mode. This security flaw represents a significant privilege escalation and access control bypass issue that undermines the intended security boundaries of the system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users can launch unauthorized applications through the desktop interface, despite lacking proper permissions to modify application definitions within the system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the eLux RP application launcher component. When classic desktop mode is active, the system fails to properly enforce application permission boundaries, allowing malicious users to execute programs that should be restricted based on their user privileges. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a critical flaw in the platform's authorization model. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 Access Control Bypass, which specifically addresses situations where systems fail to properly enforce access control mechanisms. The flaw exists in the application execution flow where the system does not adequately verify whether the executing user has proper authorization to launch the requested application, particularly when the application definition itself is not modifiable by the user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized application execution to potentially enable more severe security breaches. An attacker with access to the affected system could leverage this flaw to execute malicious software, escalate privileges, or gain access to sensitive data that should be protected by the application permission model. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the system since unauthorized applications could potentially contain malware or be used to establish persistence mechanisms. This weakness creates an attack surface that could be exploited by both internal and external threat actors to compromise the system. The impact is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where eLux RP systems are deployed for secure desktop computing, as it undermines the security controls that organizations rely upon to protect sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected software versions to the recommended secure releases. Organizations should implement strict access controls and application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized application execution even if the vulnerability exists. The system administrators should review and tighten the application permission settings to ensure that only authorized users can execute specific applications. Additionally, monitoring and logging of application execution events should be enhanced to detect any suspicious activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a defense-in-depth perspective, implementing network segmentation and application control solutions such as those aligned with the MITRE ATT&CK framework can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices that properly validate user permissions before allowing application execution. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify similar access control issues in their software environments and establish regular security assessments to maintain system integrity.