Siemens Mendix
Plan Patch8.1ICS-CERT ICSA-21-110-07Apr 14, 2021
Attack VectorNetwork
Auth RequiredLow
ComplexityLow
User InteractionNone needed
Summary
A privilege escalation vulnerability in Mendix Applications affects versions 7 (before v7.23.19), 8 (all branches before v8.17.0, v8.6.9, or v8.12.5), and 9 (before v9.0.5). The flaw allows authorized users with valid credentials to escalate their privileges beyond their assigned role, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or application functionality. Exploitation requires valid application credentials and network access to the application.
What this means
What could happen
An attacker with valid user credentials to a Mendix application could escalate their privileges to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or modify application functionality. The impact depends on what the Mendix application controls—if it manages process automation, data validation, or system integration in your critical operations, privilege escalation could allow unauthorized changes to those functions.
Who's at risk
Organizations running Mendix applications—including custom business applications, data integration platforms, or workflow automation systems—deployed on versions 7, 8 (all branches), or 9 are affected. This applies to both standalone Mendix deployments and those integrated with Siemens industrial systems or municipal IT infrastructure.
How it could be exploited
An attacker with valid login credentials to the Mendix application exploits an authorization flaw to escalate their user role or permissions. This requires network access to the application and valid credentials—they cannot gain initial access without them. Once escalated, they operate within the application with elevated privileges.
Prerequisites
- Valid user credentials for the Mendix application
- Network access to the Mendix application (internal or DMZ-facing)
- Application deployed on an unpatched Mendix version
Requires valid credentials (low attack surface from external threat)Authorization flaw allows privilege escalation within applicationNo public exploit code available yetCVSS 8.1 indicates significant impact if exploited by insider threat
Exploitability
Low exploit probability (EPSS 0.3%)
Affected products (5)
5 with fix
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
Mendix Applications using Mendix 7<V7.23.19v7.23.19
Mendix Applications using Mendix 8<V8.17.0v8.17.0
Mendix Applications using Mendix 8 (V8.6)<V8.6.9v8.17.0
Mendix Applications using Mendix 9<V9.0.5v9.0.5
Mendix Applications using Mendix 8 (V8.12)<V8.12.5v8.17.0
Remediation & Mitigation
0/7
Do now
0/1HARDENINGRestrict network access to Mendix applications using firewall rules, VPN, or application-level authentication
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/6Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption
Mendix Applications using Mendix 8 (V8.6)
HOTFIXUpdate Mendix 8.6 applications to v8.6.9 or later and redeploy
Mendix Applications using Mendix 8 (V8.12)
HOTFIXUpdate Mendix 8.12 applications to v8.12.5 or later and redeploy
All products
HOTFIXUpdate Mendix 7 applications to v7.23.19 or later and redeploy
HOTFIXUpdate Mendix 8 applications to v8.17.0 or later (v8.18 preferred) and redeploy
HOTFIXUpdate Mendix 9 applications to v9.0.5 or later and redeploy
HARDENINGReview and audit user roles and permissions in Mendix applications to identify and remove unnecessary privilege grants
CVEs (1)
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API:
/api/v1/advisories/9509eb6a-2cb2-444f-9947-ccc7300d1bbc