CVE-2022-36642 in Omnia MPX Node
Summary
by MITRE • 09/03/2022
A local file disclosure vulnerability in /appConfig/userDB.json of Telos Alliance Omnia MPX Node through 1.5.0+r1 allows attackers to escalate privileges to root and execute arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-36642 represents a critical local file disclosure flaw within the Telos Alliance Omnia MPX Node software ecosystem. This vulnerability exists within the application configuration file located at /appConfig/userDB.json and affects versions through 1.5.0+r1. The flaw stems from inadequate access controls and improper file system permissions that allow unauthorized local users to access sensitive configuration data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges from standard user level to root access, ultimately enabling arbitrary command execution on the affected system. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability that undermines the fundamental security posture of the platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of file access permissions within the application's configuration management system. When the system processes requests related to user database operations, it fails to properly validate access controls for the userDB.json file, which contains critical authentication and authorization parameters. This misconfiguration allows local attackers to bypass normal access restrictions and read the contents of the configuration file. The userDB.json file typically contains sensitive information including user credentials, session tokens, and potentially system-level access keys that are crucial for maintaining system integrity. The flaw operates at the file system level, leveraging weak permission models that do not adequately separate user contexts from system-level resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-36642 extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a complete escalation path to system compromise. Once an attacker gains access to the userDB.json file, they can extract authentication credentials and system access keys that enable them to elevate their privileges to root level. This privilege escalation capability allows the attacker to execute arbitrary commands with the highest system permissions, effectively providing complete control over the affected system. The implications are severe as this vulnerability can be exploited by local attackers who may already have limited system access, transforming their initial foothold into full system compromise. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms and system security controls.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including restricting file system permissions for the userDB.json file to ensure that only authorized system processes can access it. The application should enforce proper access control lists that prevent unauthorized users from reading sensitive configuration files. Additionally, the system should implement mandatory access controls and privilege separation mechanisms to prevent local users from accessing system-level configuration data. Organizations should conduct thorough security audits of their Telos Alliance Omnia MPX Node deployments to identify all affected versions and apply the latest security patches. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276 which addresses improper file permissions and improper privileges, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation of system vulnerabilities. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the need for comprehensive security testing of application configuration management systems.