CVE-2025-2003 in Server
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2025
Incorrect authorization in PAM vaults in Devolutions Server 2024.3.12 and earlier allows an authenticated user to bypass the 'add in root' permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-2003 represents a critical authorization flaw within Devolutions Server's PAM vault implementation affecting versions 2024.3.12 and earlier. This issue stems from improper access control mechanisms that allow authenticated users to circumvent intended security restrictions governing vault modifications. The flaw specifically targets the 'add in root' permission controls, which are fundamental to maintaining the integrity and security boundaries of privileged access management systems. Such vulnerabilities in PAM (Privileged Access Management) solutions pose significant risks to organizations relying on these platforms for secure credential management and privileged session control.
The technical implementation of this authorization bypass occurs through a failure in the permission validation logic within the PAM vault subsystem. When users attempt to add new entries or modify existing vault structures, the system should enforce strict authorization checks based on user roles and permissions. However, the vulnerability allows authenticated users to bypass these checks, enabling them to add content directly to root-level vaults without proper authorization. This flaw typically manifests through manipulated API calls or direct system interfaces where the permission verification mechanisms are either entirely absent or inadequately implemented. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which categorizes improper authorization issues, and specifically relates to the broader class of access control failures that compromise system security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security architecture of Devolutions Server's PAM capabilities. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive privileged credentials, session information, and other critical assets stored within root-level vaults. This compromise could lead to lateral movement within the privileged access environment, credential theft, and unauthorized system modifications that could go undetected for extended periods. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that depend on Devolutions Server for managing privileged accounts across their infrastructure, as it essentially allows any authenticated user to bypass the intended security controls that protect critical privileged access resources.
Organizations utilizing affected Devolutions Server versions should implement immediate mitigations to address this authorization bypass vulnerability. The primary recommended action involves upgrading to the latest available version of Devolutions Server that contains the patched authorization controls for PAM vault operations. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough audits of existing user permissions and access controls to identify any potential unauthorized access that may have occurred. Network segmentation and monitoring controls should be enhanced to detect unusual vault modification patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in privileged access management systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to privileged resources. Organizations should also consider implementing additional layers of security monitoring specifically focused on vault access patterns and permission changes to detect potential exploitation attempts before they can cause significant damage to the privileged access environment.