CVE-2023-50236 in Polarion ALM
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2024
A vulnerability has been identified in Polarion ALM (All versions). The affected product is vulnerable due to weak file and folder permissions in the installation path. An attacker with local access could exploit this vulnerability to escalate privileges to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-50236 affects Polarion ALM software across all versions, presenting a critical privilege escalation risk through improper file and folder permissions within the installation directory. This weakness allows local attackers to gain elevated system privileges, specifically escalating to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM level access, which represents the highest privilege level on windows systems. The issue stems from inadequate permission controls that fail to properly restrict access to critical system components, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors who already have local system access.
This vulnerability operates under the framework of CWE-276, which specifically addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local system exploits. The flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege, where installation directories contain files and folders that do not properly enforce access controls. Attackers can leverage this misconfiguration to manipulate system files, modify critical configurations, or install malicious software with elevated privileges. The exploitation process typically involves identifying accessible system directories and using the weak permissions to modify or replace critical executables or configuration files that would normally require system-level access to alter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to potentially compromise the entire system infrastructure. Once escalated to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM level, an attacker gains unrestricted access to all system resources, including the ability to modify or delete critical files, access sensitive data, install backdoors, and manipulate system configurations. This level of access allows for persistent presence within the compromised system and can facilitate further lateral movement throughout the network. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal attack surface - local access alone is sufficient to exploit the weakness, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network-based security measures.
Organizations using Polarion ALM should immediately implement mitigations including proper permission hardening of installation directories, regular security audits of system access controls, and enforcement of principle of least privilege across all system components. The recommended approach involves reviewing and modifying file and folder permissions to ensure that only authorized users and processes can access critical system resources. Security teams should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to system directories and establish regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar permission-related weaknesses. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing mandatory access controls and privilege separation mechanisms to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security configuration management and demonstrates how basic permission settings can create significant security risks that may be overlooked during routine system maintenance.