CVE-2017-6554 in Privilege Manager
Summary
by MITRE
pmmasterd in Quest Privilege Manager 6.0.0-27 and 6.0.0-50 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files and consequently execute arbitrary code with root privileges via an ACT_NEWFILESENT action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6554 affects Quest Privilege Manager's pmmasterd service version 6.0.0-27 and 6.0.0-50, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution with root privileges. This vulnerability resides within the privilege management framework that controls access to sensitive system resources and administrative functions. The flaw specifically manifests through the ACT_NEWFILESENT action which is designed to handle file creation operations within the privileged environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper access control mechanisms within the pmmasterd service. When processing the ACT_NEWFILESENT action, the system fails to properly validate file paths and destination locations, allowing attackers to manipulate the file creation process to write data to arbitrary locations on the filesystem. This weakness creates a path traversal condition that bypasses normal file access controls and privilege boundaries. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that specify target file paths outside of intended directories, effectively gaining write access to system-critical files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Remote exploitation allows adversaries to place malicious code in system directories such as /usr/bin, /etc, or other critical locations where the system will execute the code with elevated privileges. This can result in persistent backdoors, data exfiltration, system enumeration, and complete takeover of the affected system. The vulnerability affects environments where Quest Privilege Manager is deployed for managing privileged accounts and access control, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise networks where privileged access is heavily monitored and controlled. The attack surface includes any system running the vulnerable pmmasterd service that is accessible over the network.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates that address the input validation issues in the ACT_NEWFILESENT action processing. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the pmmasterd service ports, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Regular security assessments should include scanning for vulnerable versions of Quest Privilege Manager and monitoring for suspicious file creation activities in system directories. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1548.1 which addresses "Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism." Organizations should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to critical system files and establish baseline configurations that prevent the exploitation of such path traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control in privileged management systems, as it represents a fundamental failure in the security model of the privilege management framework.