CVE-2026-112197 in NoviGest Desktop App
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2026
Vulnerability due to a lack of authentication in critical functions of the NoviGest Desktop App's Java RMI service. An attacker with network access to the service can invoke remote methods without authentication, obtain sensitive credentials, and execute arbitrary SQL queries on PostgreSQL. The elevated privileges of the database account allow these capabilities to be chained together to execute operating system commands on the server, compromising its confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2026
The NoviGest Desktop App contains a critical security flaw within its Java Remote Method Invocation service that stems from an absence of authentication mechanisms for sensitive operations. This vulnerability allows any actor with network connectivity to the affected service interface to bypass access controls entirely. By exploiting this lack of verification, an attacker can invoke remote methods without providing valid credentials or session tokens. The core technical failure lies in the configuration and implementation of the RMI registry and server stubs, which do not enforce security constraints on incoming requests for critical functions. This design oversight effectively turns a potentially powerful administrative interface into an open door for unauthorized interaction, violating fundamental principles of secure system architecture where all privileged operations must be authenticated before execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to the specific capabilities exposed through these unauthenticated endpoints. An attacker can first extract sensitive credentials stored within the application's memory or configuration files via remote method calls. These stolen credentials are not merely for viewing; they possess elevated privileges on the underlying PostgreSQL database server. With access to a high-privilege database account, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary SQL queries against the data store. This capability extends beyond simple data exfiltration, as it allows for direct manipulation of database structures and contents, leading to significant compromises in confidentiality and integrity of the stored information.
The severity escalates significantly when considering the interaction between the Java application layer and the PostgreSQL backend. The elevated privileges granted to the database account enable a dangerous chain of exploitation techniques. Specifically, an attacker can leverage SQL injection-like capabilities within the allowed queries to interact with server-side features such as pg_read_file or similar functions that allow reading from the file system, or potentially utilize extensions like PL/Python or PL/V8 if enabled and accessible through the specific database version configuration. More commonly in this context, the ability to execute arbitrary commands often involves exploiting known vulnerabilities in how Java RMI handles object deserialization combined with database-side command execution features. This chaining allows the attacker to transition from remote code execution within the application layer to direct operating system command execution on the host server. Consequently, the confidentiality of sensitive data is compromised through unauthorized access and exfiltration, integrity is undermined by potential data modification or deletion, and availability is threatened if the attacker chooses to disrupt services or corrupt critical files via OS-level commands.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 Improper Authentication, as the system fails to verify identity before granting access to sensitive functions. It also relates closely to CWE-940 Improper Verification of Authorization for Critical Function, since even if some level of session exists, critical administrative actions are not properly restricted. In terms of attack vectors and tactics, this scenario maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, as the RMI service is likely exposed or accessible over a network that an attacker can reach. Furthermore, the ability to execute operating system commands via database privileges falls under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically when leveraging SQL-based command execution capabilities inherent in certain database configurations.
Mitigation strategies must address both the immediate technical flaw and broader architectural security posture. The most effective remediation is to enforce strict authentication on all RMI endpoints within the NoviGest Desktop App. This involves configuring Java Security Managers or implementing custom RMISocketFactory implementations that validate credentials for every method invocation, particularly those marked as critical or administrative. Additionally, applying principle of least privilege to the database account used by the application is essential; this account should not possess elevated permissions such as superuser status unless absolutely necessary and even then, only with strict network-level restrictions. Network segmentation should be employed to ensure that RMI ports are accessible only from trusted IP addresses or through a secure VPN tunnel rather than being exposed on open networks. Regular security audits focusing on remote interface configurations and database privilege assignments will help prevent similar misconfigurations in the future.