CVE-2024-2918 in Server
Summary
by MITRE • 04/09/2024
Improper input validation in PAM JIT elevation feature in Devolutions Server 2024.1.6 and earlier allows an attacker with access to the PAM JIT elevation feature to forge the displayed group in the PAM JIT elevation checkout request via a specially crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2918 represents a critical weakness in the PAM Just-In-Time elevation functionality of Devolutions Server versions 2024.1.6 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or verify user-supplied data during the JIT elevation process. The flaw specifically affects the group display mechanism within the checkout request workflow, creating a potential vector for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive systems and resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation of input parameters that control the group information displayed during PAM JIT elevation requests. When users initiate a JIT elevation request, the system should validate and sanitize the group identifiers to ensure they originate from legitimate sources and conform to expected formats. However, the current implementation allows attackers to craft malicious requests that manipulate the displayed group information, potentially misleading administrators and users about the actual privileges being requested or granted. This improper input validation creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can influence the system's behavior without adequate verification or sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-2918 extends beyond simple display manipulation, as it enables sophisticated social engineering attacks and privilege escalation attempts. An attacker who gains access to the PAM JIT elevation feature can exploit this vulnerability to present false group affiliations, potentially gaining access to systems or resources that should only be available to authorized groups. This manipulation can bypass security controls that rely on accurate group membership information for access decisions, undermining the principle of least privilege and potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, critical systems, or administrative functions. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to forge trust relationships within the PAM environment, creating a false sense of legitimacy for their elevation requests.
From a security standards perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a clear violation of the principle of input sanitization and validation that forms the foundation of secure application design. The issue also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1548.003, which covers abuse of group policy objects, and potentially T1078.002, related to valid accounts. Organizations utilizing Devolutions Server should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version, implementing additional input validation layers, and monitoring for suspicious JIT elevation requests that show anomalous group information. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing proper access controls in privileged access management systems, particularly those handling Just-In-Time elevation workflows where trust and verification mechanisms are paramount to overall security posture.