CVE-2020-7388 in Sage
Summary
by MITRE • 07/23/2021
Sage X3 Unauthenticated Remote Command Execution (RCE) as SYSTEM in AdxDSrv.exe component. By editing the client side authentication request, an attacker can bypass credential validation. While exploiting this does require knowledge of the installation path, that information can be learned by exploiting CVE-2020-7387. This issue was fixed in AdxAdmin 93.2.53, which ships with updates for on-premises versions of Sage X3 including Version 9 (components shipped with Syracuse 9.22.7.2 and later), Sage X3 HR & Payroll Version 9 (those components that ship with Syracuse 9.24.1.3), Version 11 (components shipped with Syracuse 11.25.2.6 and later), and Version 12 (components shipped with Syracuse 12.10.2.8 and later) of Sage X3. Other on-premises versions of Sage X3 are unsupported by the vendor.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7388 represents a critical remote command execution flaw within the Sage X3 enterprise resource planning system, specifically affecting the AdxDSrv.exe component. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands with SYSTEM privileges, effectively granting them complete control over the affected system. The flaw manifests in the authentication bypass mechanism where an attacker can manipulate client-side authentication requests to circumvent the normal credential validation process. The security implications are severe as this vulnerability operates at the system level, enabling attackers to perform actions that would normally require administrative access. The attack vector requires network connectivity to the affected system and leverages weaknesses in the authentication flow to achieve privilege escalation without proper user credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper authentication handling within the AdxDSrv.exe service component. When authentication requests are processed, the system fails to properly validate the integrity of client-side authentication data, allowing malicious actors to craft modified requests that appear legitimate to the system. This authentication bypass mechanism operates at the protocol level where the service expects certain authentication tokens or headers that can be manipulated by attackers. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor pathway through which unauthenticated requests can be processed as if they were legitimate authenticated sessions. The underlying architecture does not adequately validate the authenticity of the authentication data, leading to a trust violation that attackers can exploit to gain elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete system control capabilities. Once exploited, an attacker can execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges, allowing them to install malware, modify system files, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access through various attack techniques. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations running on-premises versions of Sage X3, where the attack surface includes all systems that have the vulnerable AdxDSrv.exe component installed. The attack requires knowledge of the installation path, which can be discovered through the exploitation of CVE-2020-7387, creating a chained attack scenario that allows for more comprehensive system compromise. Organizations with multiple Sage X3 installations across their infrastructure face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited across various versions and components.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2020-7388 requires immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patches that address the authentication bypass mechanism in AdxAdmin 93.2.53. Organizations should prioritize updating their Sage X3 installations to the specified versions that include the necessary security fixes for Syracuse 9.22.7.2 and later, Syracuse 9.24.1.3 and later, Syracuse 11.25.2.6 and later, and Syracuse 12.10.2.8 and later components. The vulnerability is particularly concerning from a compliance perspective as it may violate various security standards including those related to access control and privilege management. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability relates to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and potentially CWE-78 which covers OS command injection vulnerabilities. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, making it a significant threat in enterprise environments where such systems are prevalent.
Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to Sage X3 systems and ensure that only authorized personnel can reach the vulnerable components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of defense-in-depth strategies where multiple security controls work together to protect against exploitation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns and command execution activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include specific checks for this vulnerability and similar authentication bypass issues. The remediation process should not only involve patching but also include comprehensive security audits to ensure no other systems in the environment are vulnerable to similar authentication bypass mechanisms. Given the critical nature of this vulnerability, organizations should also consider implementing additional logging and monitoring around the affected AdxDSrv.exe component to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails for forensic analysis.