CVE-2017-5531 in Managed File Transfer Command Center
Summary
by MITRE
Deployments of TIBCO Managed File Transfer Command Center versions 8.0.0 and 8.0.1 and TIBCO Managed File Transfer Internet Server versions 8.0.0 and 8.0.1 that enable the Administrator Service may be affected by a vulnerability which may allow any authenticated user to gain administrative control of Managed File Transfer web applications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5531 affects TIBCO Managed File Transfer Command Center and Internet Server versions 8.0.0 and 8.0.1 when the Administrator Service is enabled. This represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that undermines the security model of these enterprise file transfer solutions. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the administrative service component, creating a pathway for authenticated users to escalate their privileges without proper authorization. Such a flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete compromise of the managed file transfer infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the authentication and authorization framework of the Administrator Service. When enabled, this service allows any authenticated user to potentially exploit a flaw in the privilege validation process, enabling them to assume administrative roles within the MFT web applications. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-276 as improper privilege management, specifically involving inadequate access control mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain full administrative control over file transfer operations, including the ability to modify transfer configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially exfiltrate information through the managed file transfer processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of organizations relying on TIBCO MFT solutions. An authenticated attacker can manipulate file transfer operations, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized data access, or disruption of business-critical file transfer processes. The vulnerability affects both Command Center and Internet Server components, creating a wide attack surface within TIBCO MFT deployments. Organizations may experience significant operational disruption if attackers exploit this vulnerability to modify or delete critical file transfer configurations, potentially affecting thousands of automated file transfer operations across enterprise networks.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1484 for Domain Controller Policy Modification, as it enables attackers to leverage legitimate authentication credentials to gain elevated privileges. The attack vector typically involves an authenticated user who can access the MFT web interface and then exploit the privilege escalation mechanism to gain administrative access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the Administrator Service when not required, applying the vendor-provided patches, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to the MFT applications. Additionally, monitoring for unusual administrative activities and implementing proper audit logging can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the potential for authenticated users to cause significant damage when privilege escalation mechanisms are improperly configured, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of administrative services in enterprise applications.