CVE-2024-12149 in Remote Desktop Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2024
Incorrect permission assignment in temporary access requests component in Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager 2024.3.19.0 and earlier on Windows allows an authenticated user that request temporary permissions on an entry to obtain more privileges than requested.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-12149 represents a critical permission escalation flaw within Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager version 2024.3.19.0 and earlier releases on Windows platforms. This issue manifests in the temporary access requests component where authenticated users can manipulate their privilege requests to gain unauthorized access to resources beyond what was originally requested. The flaw stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that fail to properly enforce the boundaries of requested permissions, creating a pathway for privilege abuse that directly undermines the security model of the application. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in remote desktop management environments where administrators must maintain strict access controls to prevent unauthorized system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the insufficient input validation and privilege enforcement mechanisms within the temporary access request processing logic. When users submit requests for temporary access to specific entries or resources, the system fails to properly validate that the requested permissions align with the user's actual authorization scope. This misconfiguration allows malicious or opportunistic users to exploit the system by submitting crafted requests that bypass normal access controls. The flaw operates at the application layer where user requests are processed, potentially enabling attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user access to administrative or elevated permissions. This issue aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control and represents a classic case of privilege escalation through flawed authorization mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-12149 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially catastrophic system compromise scenarios. In environments where Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager serves as the primary access control solution for enterprise networks, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain access to sensitive systems, databases, or administrative interfaces that should remain protected. The implications are particularly severe given that the flaw affects a component designed specifically for temporary access management, suggesting that legitimate users with temporary access requests could be exploited to maintain persistent unauthorized access. This vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to establish footholds within networks, potentially leading to lateral movement and broader system infiltration. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that legitimate users with temporary access rights may already possess credentials or access tokens that could be leveraged to maintain elevated privileges beyond the scope of their original requests.
Organizations utilizing Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version 2024.3.20.0 or later, which addresses the permission assignment flaw through enhanced validation mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around temporary access request submissions. Security administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of existing temporary access permissions to identify any potential privilege escalation that may have occurred. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in security tools, as the temporary access feature itself is designed to provide controlled access but becomes a security risk when the underlying permission enforcement fails. Organizations should also consider implementing additional layers of authentication and authorization controls, such as multi-factor authentication for privileged access requests, to reduce the risk of exploitation. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that security tools must maintain strict enforcement of access controls even in features designed for temporary or limited access scenarios, as these components often become targets for sophisticated attacks seeking to establish persistent access within networks.