CVE-2022-4264 in M-Files
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2022
Incorrect Privilege Assignment in M-Files Web (Classic) in M-Files before 22.8.11691.0 allows low privilege user to change some configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4264 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within M-Files Web (Classic) software versions prior to 22.8.11691.0. This issue stems from improper privilege assignment mechanisms that allow users with minimal access rights to manipulate system configurations that should be restricted to administrators or high-privilege entities. The vulnerability exists within the web-based interface of M-Files, which is commonly used for document management and workflow automation in enterprise environments. The flaw specifically affects the authorization model implementation where the system fails to properly enforce privilege boundaries during configuration modification operations. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for attackers to elevate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to system settings that control document workflows, user permissions, and other critical administrative functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it directly undermines the principle of least privilege that forms the foundation of secure system design.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the flawed access control checks within the M-Files Web interface. When low-privilege users attempt to modify certain configuration parameters, the system does not properly validate whether the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions to perform such actions. This weakness manifests as a lack of proper input sanitization and authorization validation in the web application's backend services. The flaw can be exploited through manipulation of web requests or direct API calls that target configuration endpoints. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-276: Incorrect Permission Assignment, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to perform privileged operations. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004: Valid Accounts, as it allows attackers to leverage existing low-privilege accounts to gain elevated access without requiring additional credential compromise. The system's failure to implement proper role-based access control (RBAC) checks during configuration modifications creates a direct attack surface that bypasses expected security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4264 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise entire document management systems. An attacker with low privilege access could modify critical workflow configurations, redirect document routing, alter user permissions, and potentially gain access to sensitive information that should remain restricted. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on M-Files for managing confidential documents, legal records, or proprietary information where proper access controls are paramount. The impact is compounded by the fact that such configuration changes can be made silently without proper audit trails, making detection difficult for security monitoring systems. Organizations using M-Files in regulated environments may face compliance violations, as this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized data access or modification that violates industry standards such as SOC 2, HIPAA, or GDPR requirements. The vulnerability also enables potential lateral movement within the network as attackers might use the elevated privileges to access other systems or resources that are accessible through the compromised M-Files instance. The attack vector typically involves exploiting the web interface through browser-based attacks or automated tools that manipulate web requests to bypass normal access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-4264 focus primarily on applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to M-Files version 22.8.11691.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the privilege assignment flaw. Organizations should immediately implement this update across all affected M-Files Web (Classic) installations to eliminate the vulnerability. In addition to patching, administrators should conduct thorough access control reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to configuration modification functions. Network segmentation and web application firewalls should be implemented to monitor and restrict access to M-Files web interfaces. Security teams should also implement enhanced logging and monitoring for configuration change activities to detect any unauthorized modifications that may have occurred before the patch was applied. According to industry best practices, organizations should perform regular security assessments of their document management systems and maintain up-to-date vulnerability management processes. The remediation process should include verifying that proper role-based access controls are implemented and that all users have appropriate privilege levels based on their job requirements. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access and regular security training for users can help reduce the overall risk exposure associated with such privilege escalation vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider conducting penetration testing to verify that the patch has effectively resolved the vulnerability and that no other related access control issues exist within the system.