CVE-2017-20110 in WFM
Summary
by MITRE • 06/29/2022
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Teleopti WFM up to 7.1.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component Administration. The manipulation as part of JSON leads to information disclosure (Credentials). The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-20110 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Teleopti Workforce Management (WFM) software version 7.1.0 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the Administration component of the system, which serves as the central management interface for workforce scheduling and operational oversight. The flaw stems from improper handling of JSON data structures within the administrative functionality, creating a pathway for unauthorized information extraction that could compromise system security and operational integrity. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates its potential to cause significant damage to organizational security postures and operational continuity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through malformed JSON manipulation within the Administration module, which results in credential exposure and broader information disclosure. When legitimate administrative functions process JSON input, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the data structure, allowing attackers to craft malicious JSON payloads that can extract sensitive information including user credentials. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness in software design that enables various attack vectors. The JSON processing error creates a direct path for attackers to access administrative credentials that would normally be protected within the system's authentication framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with elevated access privileges within the workforce management system. Once credentials are disclosed, attackers can manipulate workforce schedules, access confidential personnel data, and potentially disrupt operational workflows that depend on accurate scheduling information. The remote exploit capability means that threat actors can target this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the organization's premises, significantly expanding the attack surface. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized access to sensitive data and potential manipulation of core business processes. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as the disclosed credentials can be used for persistent access and further exploitation within the network.
The public disclosure of the exploit has elevated the threat level significantly, as it removes the element of surprise that attackers typically rely on during initial compromise phases. Organizations running Teleopti WFM versions up to 7.1.0 face immediate risk of exploitation, as the attack methods are readily available to malicious actors. The recommended patching approach addresses the root cause by implementing proper JSON input validation and sanitization within the Administration component, ensuring that all incoming data structures are properly verified before processing. Security teams should prioritize this vulnerability remediation as part of their immediate response protocols, implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of their workforce management systems to identify any similar vulnerabilities in related components and ensure that all administrative functions properly validate input data to prevent similar information disclosure scenarios from occurring in other parts of their IT infrastructure.