CVE-2017-16924 in Desktop Central
Summary
by MITRE
Remote Information Disclosure and Escalation of Privileges in ManageEngine Desktop Central MSP 10.0.137 allows attackers to download unencrypted XML files containing all data for configuration policies via a predictable /client-data/<client_id>/collections/##/usermgmt.xml URL, as demonstrated by passwords and Wi-Fi keys. This is fixed in build 100157.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2017-16924 represents a critical security flaw in ManageEngine Desktop Central MSP version 10.0.137 that exposes sensitive configuration data through predictable URL patterns. This issue affects organizations using the desktop management platform for remote system administration and configuration management. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls and predictable file naming conventions that allow unauthenticated attackers to directly access XML configuration files containing critical system information. The exposed data includes passwords, Wi-Fi keys, and other sensitive configuration parameters that are typically protected within enterprise environments. This represents a significant bypass of the intended security boundaries that should protect sensitive administrative data from unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a combination of predictable URL structures and inadequate authentication mechanisms within the web application framework. Attackers can construct specific URLs following the pattern /client-data/<client_id>/collections/##/usermgmt.xml to directly retrieve XML files without requiring valid credentials or authentication. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as exposure of sensitive information and CWE-284 as improper access control. The predictable nature of the URL structure means that an attacker only needs to know the client identifier to access the configuration data, making this attack vector particularly dangerous for organizations with multiple client configurations. The XML files contain unencrypted sensitive data that would normally be protected through proper encryption and access control mechanisms, exposing the entire configuration policy database to unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to include potential privilege escalation and system compromise. When attackers can access the usermgmt.xml files, they gain access to administrative credentials, network configuration details, and other sensitive data that could be used for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability allows for lateral movement and potentially complete system compromise, as the exposed credentials could be used to authenticate to other systems or services. The exposure of Wi-Fi keys and passwords creates immediate opportunities for attackers to gain network access and escalate privileges within the managed environment. Organizations using this software without proper network segmentation or additional security controls would be particularly vulnerable to these attacks, as the exposed data could be leveraged for persistent access and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16924 should focus on immediate patching to build 100157 or later versions that address the predictable URL access issue. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate management interfaces from general network access and enforce strict access controls on the Desktop Central MSP application. Additional security controls such as web application firewalls, authentication mechanisms, and regular security assessments should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1078 for valid accounts and T1083 for file and directory discovery, indicating that attackers could use this access to further explore the system and escalate privileges. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unusual access patterns to configuration files and establish incident response procedures to address potential data exposure events. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses in other enterprise management systems.