CVE-2021-28825
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows a low-privileged attacker with local Windows access to insert malicious files into the TIBCO Messaging installation directory. When the legitimate software runs, it executes those files with elevated privileges, enabling privilege escalation. Affected are TIBCO Messaging - Eclipse Mosquitto Distribution Core Community and Enterprise Editions version 1.3.0 and below on Windows systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- TIBCO Messaging - Eclipse Mosquitto Distribution - Core - Community Edition
- TIBCO Messaging - Eclipse Mosquitto Distribution - Core - Enterprise Edition
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise via privilege escalation to SYSTEM/administrator level, allowing installation of persistent malware, data theft, or lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation enabling attackers to bypass security controls, install additional tools, or access restricted resources.
If Mitigated
Limited to local user account compromise without ability to escalate privileges or access other systems.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and low privileges. The vulnerability is in file/folder permissions, making exploitation straightforward for attackers with local access.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions above 1.3.0
Vendor Advisory: https://www.tibco.com/support/advisories/2021/04/tibco-security-advisory-april-14-2021-tibco-messaging-2021-28825
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download updated version from TIBCO support portal. 2. Stop all TIBCO Messaging services. 3. Run installer with administrative privileges. 4. Restart services after installation completes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict installation directory permissions
windowsModify file system permissions on the TIBCO Messaging installation directory to prevent low-privileged users from writing files.
icacls "C:\Program Files\TIBCO\Messaging" /deny Users:(OI)(CI)W
icacls "C:\Program Files (x86)\TIBCO\Messaging" /deny Users:(OI)(CI)W
Run service with least privilege
windowsConfigure TIBCO Messaging services to run with minimal required privileges rather than elevated system accounts.
sc config "TIBCO Messaging Service" obj= "NT AUTHORITY\LocalService"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local access to affected Windows systems.
- Monitor for suspicious file creation/modification in TIBCO installation directories using file integrity monitoring.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check TIBCO Messaging version and verify if running version 1.3.0 or below on Windows. Also check if low-privileged users have write access to installation directory.Check Version:
Check version in TIBCO Messaging configuration files or via service properties in Windows Services manager.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify version is above 1.3.0 and test that low-privileged users cannot write to installation directories.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected file creation in TIBCO installation directories
- Failed permission modification attempts on TIBCO directories
- Unusual process execution from TIBCO directories
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local privilege escalation only
SIEM Query:
EventID=4663 AND ObjectName LIKE '%TIBCO%Messaging%' AND Accesses LIKE '%Write%' AND SubjectUserName NOT IN (authorized_admin_users)🔗 References
- http://www.tibco.com/services/support/advisories
- https://www.tibco.com/support/advisories/2021/04/tibco-security-advisory-april-14-2021-tibco-messaging-2021-28825
- http://www.tibco.com/services/support/advisories
- https://www.tibco.com/support/advisories/2021/04/tibco-security-advisory-april-14-2021-tibco-messaging-2021-28825
