CVE-2021-28819
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows a low-privileged attacker with local Windows access to insert malicious software into TIBCO FTL installation directories, which then executes with elevated privileges due to insufficient file/folder access restrictions. It affects all TIBCO FTL editions (Community, Developer, Enterprise) version 6.5.0 and below on Windows systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- TIBCO FTL - Community Edition
- TIBCO FTL - Developer Edition
- TIBCO FTL - Enterprise Edition
📦 What is this software?
Ftl by Tibco
Ftl by Tibco
Ftl by Tibco
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise via privilege escalation to SYSTEM/administrator level, enabling persistence, data theft, and lateral movement across the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to bypass security controls, install malware, or access restricted resources on the affected Windows system.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls and least privilege principles are enforced, though local attackers could still potentially abuse the vulnerability.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access but is theoretically straightforward once an attacker can write to installation directories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions above 6.5.0
Vendor Advisory: http://www.tibco.com/services/support/advisories
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download updated TIBCO FTL version from TIBCO support portal. 2. Uninstall affected version. 3. Install patched version. 4. Restart system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict installation directory permissions
windowsApply strict access controls to TIBCO FTL installation directories to prevent low-privileged users from writing files.
icacls "C:\Program Files\TIBCO\ftl" /inheritance:r /grant:r "SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)F" "Administrators:(OI)(CI)F" /deny "Users:(OI)(CI)(W)"
icacls "C:\Program Files (x86)\TIBCO\ftl" /inheritance:r /grant:r "SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)F" "Administrators:(OI)(CI)F" /deny "Users:(OI)(CI)(W)"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove TIBCO FTL from systems where it's not essential
- Implement strict least privilege principles and monitor for suspicious file writes in installation directories
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check TIBCO FTL version via Control Panel > Programs and Features or registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TIBCO\FTL\VersionCheck Version:
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\TIBCO\FTL" /v VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm version is above 6.5.0 and verify installation directory permissions restrict write access to low-privileged users.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs showing unexpected file writes in TIBCO installation directories
- Process creation events from TIBCO directories with elevated privileges
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from TIBCO FTL processes post-exploitation
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND (NewProcessName:*\ftl\* OR NewProcessName:*\TIBCO\*) AND SubjectUserName NOT IN ("SYSTEM", "Administrator")