CVE-2024-25604 in Liferay
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2024
Liferay Portal 7.2.0 through 7.4.3.4, and older unsupported versions, and Liferay DXP 7.4.13, 7.3 before service pack 3, 7.2 before fix pack 17, and older unsupported versions does not properly check user permissions, which allows remote authenticated users with the VIEW user permission to edit their own permission via the User and Organizations section of the Control Panel.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2024
This vulnerability affects Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP versions ranging from 7.2.0 through 7.4.3.4 and their respective older unsupported releases. The flaw resides in the permission validation mechanism within the User and Organizations section of the Control Panel, specifically impacting how the system handles user permissions for authenticated users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks that allow malicious actors with minimal privileges to exploit a logical flaw in the permission system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user with VIEW permission attempts to modify their own user permissions through the administrative interface. This represents a classic privilege escalation issue where the system fails to properly validate whether the requesting user has the necessary authorization to perform the specific action. The flaw exists in the backend validation logic that should enforce stricter permission controls when users attempt to modify their own permission sets within the portal environment.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability allows remote authenticated users to potentially escalate their privileges within the system. Attackers with VIEW permissions can manipulate their own user roles and access controls, potentially gaining access to restricted functionalities or data that should only be available to users with higher privilege levels. This creates a significant security risk as it enables unauthorized privilege escalation without requiring additional credentials or elevated access rights.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1484.001 for privilege escalation through modification of system processes. Organizations using affected Liferay versions face potential risks including unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of user access controls, and possible lateral movement within the system. The impact is particularly concerning for environments where multiple users with varying permission levels exist within the same portal infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches and updates for their Liferay Portal and DXP installations to remediate this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for unauthorized permission modifications and conduct thorough access control reviews. The recommended mitigation strategy includes applying the latest service packs and fix packs for the respective Liferay versions, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the Control Panel, and establishing robust audit logging for all permission-related activities within the portal environment.