CVE-2024-43114 in TeamCity
Summary
by MITRE • 08/06/2024
In JetBrains TeamCity before 2024.07.1 possible privilege escalation due to incorrect directory permissions
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-43114 affects JetBrains TeamCity versions prior to 2024.07.1 and represents a privilege escalation issue stemming from improper directory permissions within the application's file system structure. This flaw allows authenticated attackers with limited access to potentially elevate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability resides in the application's handling of directory permissions during installation and runtime operations, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit misconfigurations that should normally restrict access to critical system components.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-276, which specifically addresses incorrect permissions for privileged system resources. The flaw manifests when TeamCity's installation process or runtime environment fails to properly set directory permissions, allowing unauthorized users to modify or access directories that should be restricted to administrators or system processes. This misconfiguration creates a path for privilege escalation where an attacker with basic user credentials could potentially manipulate system files, access configuration data, or interfere with the application's core operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the file system level rather than through application-specific code flaws, making it more persistent and difficult to detect through traditional application security scanning methods.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-43114 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to compromise the entire TeamCity environment and potentially affect downstream systems that rely on the continuous integration and deployment pipelines managed by the platform. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to modify build scripts, access sensitive credentials stored within the system, or even gain access to source code repositories that TeamCity interfaces with during automated build processes. The attack vector typically involves an authenticated user who can manipulate directory permissions or access restricted files through the application's interface or file system operations, potentially leading to full system compromise if the TeamCity installation has access to critical infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of the latest TeamCity patch version 2024.07.1, which addresses the directory permission issues through proper access control mechanisms and enhanced file system security configurations. Organizations should conduct comprehensive permission audits of their TeamCity installations, ensuring that all directories are properly secured with appropriate access controls and that no unnecessary permissions exist for user accounts or groups. The remediation process should also include verification of file system permissions using industry-standard tools and methodologies, ensuring that the application's runtime environment maintains proper isolation between different user roles and system components. Security teams should implement continuous monitoring of directory access patterns and establish alerting mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials and valid accounts, as the escalation occurs through proper authentication mechanisms but exploits configuration weaknesses rather than brute force attacks or credential theft.