CVE-2017-9662 in Monitouch V-SFT
Summary
by MITRE
An Improper Privilege Management issue was discovered in Fuji Electric Monitouch V-SFT versions prior to Version 5.4.43.0. Monitouch V-SFT is installed in a directory with weak access controls by default, which could allow an authenticated attacker with local access to escalate privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9662 represents a critical improper privilege management flaw within Fuji Electric Monitouch V-SFT software versions prior to 5.4.43.0. This issue stems from the default installation configuration that establishes weak access controls within the software directory structure, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors. The Monitouch V-SFT system is designed for industrial control and monitoring applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given the sensitive nature of the environments where such systems operate. The default installation behavior violates fundamental security principles by not implementing proper access control mechanisms that would normally restrict file and directory permissions to minimize potential attack surfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the default directory permissions that are established during the software installation process. When Fuji Electric Monitouch V-SFT is installed without proper configuration adjustments, the system creates directories with overly permissive access controls that allow any authenticated local user to potentially modify critical system files or execute unauthorized operations. This weakness specifically manifests in the privilege escalation capability where a local attacker who has already gained authentication credentials can leverage these weak directory permissions to elevate their privileges beyond what should be permitted. The flaw essentially creates a situation where the principle of least privilege is not properly enforced, allowing users to access resources they should not have permission to modify or execute.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and operational disruption within industrial control environments. An authenticated attacker with local access could exploit this weakness to modify system configurations, inject malicious code, or gain access to sensitive operational data that could affect production processes. In industrial settings where Monitouch V-SFT systems are deployed for critical infrastructure monitoring, such a vulnerability could enable attackers to disrupt operations, manipulate data, or potentially cause physical damage to equipment. The implications are particularly severe given that these systems often control processes that are safety-critical or economically significant, making the potential for cascading failures or security breaches more pronounced.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through the installation of the patched version 5.4.43.0 or later, which addresses the improper privilege management through corrected directory access controls. Organizations should also implement comprehensive access control reviews to ensure that all default installations are properly configured with restrictive permissions that align with the principle of least privilege. The mitigation strategy should include regular security assessments of installed systems to identify any improperly configured installations that may still exhibit the weak access control behavior. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts or unusual file access patterns that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which specifically addresses improper privilege management and incorrect access control, and reflects the broader category of privilege escalation flaws that represent persistent challenges in system security. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence, where the weak directory permissions provide a foothold for attackers to establish more permanent access to systems. The vulnerability demonstrates how default installation behaviors can create security weaknesses that attackers can exploit without requiring complex attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in environments where system administrators may not be fully aware of the security implications of default configurations. Organizations should treat this vulnerability as indicative of broader security hygiene issues that require comprehensive security awareness and configuration management practices to prevent similar weaknesses from emerging in other system components.