CVE-2022-26317 in Mendix
Summary
by MITRE • 03/08/2022
A vulnerability has been identified in Mendix Applications using Mendix 7 (All versions < V7.23.29). When returning the result of a completed Microflow execution call the affected framework does not correctly verify, if the request was initially made by the user requesting the result. Together with predictable identifiers for Microflow execution calls, this could allow a malicious attacker to retrieve information about arbitrary Microflow execution calls made by users within the affected system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2022
This vulnerability resides within the Mendix application framework version 7, specifically affecting all versions prior to 7.23.29, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security of microflow execution results. The core issue manifests when the framework returns the outcome of completed microflow execution calls without properly validating whether the requesting user originally initiated the call. This fundamental breakdown in authentication verification creates a privilege escalation pathway where unauthorized users can potentially access sensitive execution data from other users within the same system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages predictable identifiers for microflow execution calls, which significantly reduces the attack surface complexity for malicious actors seeking to exploit this weakness.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate session validation mechanisms within the microflow execution result retrieval process, creating a direct path for information disclosure attacks. According to CWE-285, this represents an insufficient authorization vulnerability where the system fails to properly verify user credentials before granting access to restricted resources. The predictable nature of microflow execution call identifiers, combined with the absence of proper request origin verification, allows attackers to construct malicious requests that bypass normal access controls. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which describes legitimate credentials usage to gain access to systems, though in this case the credentials are not truly compromised but rather the system fails to validate proper authorization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the Mendix application environment. An attacker could systematically enumerate microflow execution results by leveraging predictable identifiers, potentially gaining insights into business processes, data flows, and user activities that should remain confidential. This could lead to reconnaissance activities that inform subsequent attacks, including potential data exfiltration or further privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the application's internal execution tracking mechanisms, undermining the trust model that users expect from properly secured applications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Mendix applications to version 7.23.29 or later, which includes the necessary authorization validation fixes. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring of microflow execution result access patterns to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit exposure of vulnerable applications to untrusted networks. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of microflow execution call patterns and implement proper session management practices to ensure that all resource access is properly authenticated and authorized. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing robust verification mechanisms that confirm the original requester's identity before returning microflow execution results, aligning with security best practices for maintaining proper access controls and preventing unauthorized information disclosure scenarios.