CVE-2021-23921 in SERVER
Summary
by MITRE • 04/02/2021
An issue was discovered in Devolutions Server before 2020.3. There is broken access control on Password List entry elements.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-23921 represents a critical access control flaw within Devolutions Server versions prior to 2020.3, specifically affecting the Password List entry elements functionality. This issue stems from inadequate authorization checks that allow unauthorized users to access sensitive password information that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The flaw exists in the server's permission model where the system fails to properly validate user credentials and roles when accessing password list entries, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and data exposure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper validation of user permissions during password list operations. When users attempt to access password list entries, the system does not adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to view or manipulate the specific password records. This broken access control mechanism operates under the assumption that legitimate users can access all password list elements regardless of their actual authorization level, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries. The vulnerability falls under CWE-285, which specifically addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, where the application fails to properly enforce access controls for protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, creating significant risks for organizations relying on Devolutions Server for password management and credential storage. Unauthorized users who gain access to password lists can potentially extract sensitive authentication information, including usernames, passwords, and other credential details that may be used for lateral movement within networks or for credential stuffing attacks against other systems. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and unauthorized access to credential repositories, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where password managers are critical security components.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies focusing on access control enforcement and privilege management. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to Devolutions Server version 2020.3 or later, which includes patched authorization mechanisms for password list entries. Additionally, administrators should review and tighten existing access control policies, ensuring that proper role-based access controls are implemented and enforced for all password management operations. Network segmentation and monitoring of password list access attempts should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of user permissions and implement principle of least privilege enforcement to minimize potential damage from similar access control vulnerabilities. The remediation process must include thorough testing of access control mechanisms to ensure that the patched version properly enforces authorization checks for all password list operations.