CVE-2017-6885 in FlexNet Manager Suite
Summary
by MITRE
An error when handling certain external commands and services related to the FlexNet Inventory Agent and FlexNet Beacon of the Flexera Software FlexNet Manager Suite 2017 before 2017 R1 and 2014 R3 through 2016 R1 SP1 can be exploited to gain elevated privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6885 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the FlexNet Manager Suite software ecosystem, specifically affecting the FlexNet Inventory Agent and FlexNet Beacon components. This issue resides in the handling of external commands and services, creating a pathway for malicious actors to elevate their privileges within the targeted environment. The vulnerability impacts multiple versions of the Flexera software suite, including the 2017 release before 2017 R1 and various iterations from 2014 R3 through 2016 R1 SP1, indicating a prolonged period of exposure across the product lifecycle. The flaw manifests when the software processes external commands or services, suggesting that the application fails to properly validate or sanitize input from external sources, creating a potential attack vector for privilege escalation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of external command execution within the FlexNet components, which aligns with common security weaknesses categorized under CWE-78 and CWE-74. These classifications specifically address issues related to command injection and improper input validation, where the software fails to properly sanitize or validate external inputs before processing them as commands. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to inject malicious commands through the external service handling mechanisms, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This type of flaw typically occurs when the application directly incorporates user-supplied data into command execution contexts without adequate sanitization or validation, creating a direct pathway for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6885 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources and potentially compromise entire network environments. The FlexNet Inventory Agent and FlexNet Beacon are typically deployed in enterprise environments where they may have elevated privileges to access system information, manage software inventory, and potentially interact with other system components. This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to gain administrative access to systems running the affected software, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or further lateral movement within the network. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these components often run with elevated privileges and may have access to sensitive system information, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking persistent access to enterprise networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates to the latest available versions of the FlexNet Manager Suite, specifically addressing the 2017 R1 and subsequent releases where the issue has been resolved. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of affected systems, particularly those running the FlexNet components. The vulnerability can be addressed through the application of vendor patches and updates, which typically include enhanced input validation and proper sanitization of external command handling processes. Security teams should also implement monitoring and logging of external command execution within affected systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing the principle of least privilege for the FlexNet components, limiting their access rights to only those necessary for their intended functionality. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated software versions to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues or disrupt existing system operations while effectively addressing the privilege escalation vulnerability.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and command handling in enterprise software, particularly in components that may have elevated privileges within system environments. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability align with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics, specifically focusing on the execution of malicious commands through legitimate system interfaces. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and ensure that appropriate security controls are in place to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in other system components. The remediation process should also include security awareness training for system administrators to recognize potential indicators of compromise related to command injection and privilege escalation attacks.