CVE-2023-5575 in Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Improper access control in the permission inheritance in Devolutions Server 2022.3.13.0 and earlier allows an attacker that compromised a low privileged user to access entries via a specific combination of permissions in the entry and in its parent.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5575 represents a critical access control flaw within Devolutions Server versions 2022.3.13.0 and earlier, specifically affecting the permission inheritance mechanism. This issue stems from improper handling of access control lists and permission propagation between parent and child entries within the server's hierarchical structure. The flaw enables attackers who have already compromised a low-privileged user account to escalate their access privileges by exploiting the flawed permission inheritance logic. The vulnerability operates at the core of the server's authorization framework, where permissions are not properly validated when inherited from parent entries to child objects, creating an exploitable gap in the security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the failure to properly enforce permission boundaries when entries inherit access rights from their parent containers. In a properly functioning system, when a user attempts to access a child entry, the system should validate whether the user possesses sufficient permissions both directly assigned to the child entry and inherited from parent containers. However, in Devolutions Server versions affected by CVE-2023-5575, the permission inheritance mechanism does not adequately check the cumulative effect of permissions, allowing a compromised user with minimal privileges to gain access to entries that should normally be restricted. This flaw is classified as a weakness in access control mechanisms and aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in permission inheritance systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant, as it provides attackers with a pathway for privilege escalation without requiring additional authentication credentials or exploiting other vulnerabilities. An attacker who has already gained access to a low-privileged user account can leverage this flaw to access sensitive entries, potentially including credentials, configuration data, or other restricted resources within the Devolutions Server environment. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the system's data protection mechanisms, as it allows unauthorized access to information that should be protected by proper access controls. This issue directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, or further lateral movement within the network.
Organizations using affected Devolutions Server versions should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of available patches or updates from Devolutions. The mitigation strategy should include verifying that all users have appropriate access rights assigned at the appropriate levels within the server hierarchy and implementing additional monitoring for unusual access patterns. Security teams should also review existing permission assignments to ensure that inheritance rules are properly configured and that no overly permissive permissions have been granted to parent containers. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and highlights the need for regular security assessments of permission inheritance mechanisms. The issue is particularly concerning in environments where Devolutions Server is used to manage sensitive authentication credentials and privileged access information, as it could potentially expose critical infrastructure assets to unauthorized access. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as privileged access management solutions and regular access reviews to reduce the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities in their environments.