CVE-2023-7047 in Remote Desktop Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 12/21/2023
Inadequate validation of permissions when employing remote tools and macros via the context menu within Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager versions 2023.3.31 and earlier permits a user to initiate a connection without proper execution rights via the remote tools feature. This affects only SQL data sources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-7047 represents a critical permission validation flaw within Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager software version 2023.3.31 and earlier releases. This issue specifically impacts the remote tools functionality when executed through the context menu interface, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access control mechanisms that fail to properly verify user permissions before executing remote commands or connecting to data sources. The flaw is particularly concerning as it affects only SQL data sources, suggesting that the vulnerability may be more targeted but equally dangerous in environments where database connectivity is a primary concern.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit the context menu functionality to initiate connections without possessing the necessary execution rights. This type of flaw falls under the category of inadequate input validation and access control enforcement, which aligns with CWE-285, specifically addressing issues related to insufficient authorization checks. The vulnerability operates by bypassing the normal permission verification processes that should occur when users attempt to execute remote tools against SQL data sources. When a user selects a remote tool from the context menu, the application should validate whether the user has appropriate privileges to execute that specific command against the targeted SQL database.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager for database administration tasks. An attacker who gains access to a system with this software could potentially escalate privileges and execute unauthorized database commands, leading to data exfiltration, manipulation, or destruction. The impact is particularly severe in environments where database administrators use the remote tools feature to manage SQL connections, as it could enable unauthorized users to gain access to sensitive data repositories. The vulnerability essentially undermines the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized execution of commands through a seemingly legitimate interface.
The security implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as this vulnerability could serve as a foothold for further attacks within a network infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this flaw to move laterally through systems that rely on SQL data sources, potentially accessing multiple databases or applications that share similar connection mechanisms. Organizations using Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager should consider this vulnerability in their overall security posture assessment, particularly in environments where database access is tightly controlled. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the execution of commands with elevated privileges through compromised application interfaces.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates to versions that address this permission validation flaw, as well as implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms. Organizations should conduct thorough assessments of their remote desktop management practices and ensure that proper role-based access controls are implemented for SQL data sources. Network segmentation and monitoring of remote tool execution activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper permission validation in remote administration tools and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of application interfaces that handle sensitive operations. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar permission-related flaws in other remote management solutions.