CVE-2018-19635 in Service Desk Manager
Summary
by MITRE
CA Service Desk Manager 14.1 and 17 contain a vulnerability that can allow a malicious actor to escalate privileges in the user interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19635 resides within CA Service Desk Manager versions 14.1 and 17, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized privilege escalation through the user interface components. This weakness specifically targets the authentication and authorization mechanisms implemented within the service desk management platform, creating potential entry points for malicious actors seeking to elevate their access rights. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper access control checks within the web-based interface, allowing attackers to manipulate session tokens or exploit weak authorization boundaries that should prevent standard users from accessing administrative functions. The flaw operates by exploiting the application's failure to properly verify user permissions during critical operations, particularly when processing requests that modify system configurations or access restricted administrative panels.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of user interface elements that should normally be restricted to privileged users. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific requests that bypass normal access controls, potentially gaining administrative privileges without proper authentication. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and specifically relates to the broader category of privilege escalation flaws that allow attackers to perform actions beyond their intended access levels. The attack vector typically involves intercepting or manipulating web requests through session manipulation, parameter tampering, or exploiting weaknesses in the application's role-based access control implementation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-19635 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain complete administrative control over the service desk environment. This includes the ability to modify user accounts, access sensitive configuration data, alter incident management workflows, and potentially exfiltrate confidential information stored within the system. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on CA Service Desk Manager for critical IT service management functions, creating risks for data integrity, confidentiality, and system availability. Attackers could leverage this privilege escalation to establish persistent access, modify audit logs, or manipulate service desk processes to disrupt business operations. The impact is particularly severe in environments where service desk systems serve as central points for incident management, change control, and access provisioning.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19635 should focus on immediate patch application from CA Technologies, which addresses the underlying authorization flaws in the affected versions. Organizations should implement additional network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the service desk interface to unauthorized users. The implementation of web application firewalls and enhanced monitoring of authentication and authorization events can help detect exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive access reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel maintain administrative privileges, and implement multi-factor authentication where possible. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and potentially to initial access through web application attacks, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security operations. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning processes to identify similar authorization flaws in other enterprise applications and maintain updated security baselines that align with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 requirements for access control management.