Privilege Escalation Vulnerability in Mendix
Plan Patch8.1SSA-875726Apr 14, 2021
Attack VectorNetwork
Auth RequiredLow
ComplexityLow
User InteractionNone needed
Summary
This vulnerability allows an authenticated user with standard permissions to escalate their access to higher privilege levels in a Mendix application through improper privilege escalation. The flaw affects Mendix 7 (versions below V7.23.19), Mendix 8 (below V8.17.0, with specific versions for V8.6 and V8.12 branches), and Mendix 9 (below V9.0.5). Siemens recommends updating to the latest patched versions and redeploying applications.
What this means
What could happen
An authenticated user with low-level permissions on a Mendix application could escalate their access to higher privilege levels, potentially gaining ability to modify operational settings, access restricted data, or shut down critical functions depending on how the Mendix app controls plant operations.
Who's at risk
Any municipality or utility running Mendix-based applications for operational monitoring, process control, or data management should be concerned. This includes organizations using Mendix for SCADA dashboards, pump/generator control interfaces, outage reporting systems, or work order management. The impact depends on the criticality of the Mendix application in your operational environment.
How it could be exploited
An attacker with valid login credentials to a Mendix application can exploit an improper privilege escalation flaw to gain elevated permissions without administrative approval. This could allow them to modify process parameters, alter safety-critical settings, or access data they should not have access to.
Prerequisites
- Valid user credentials for the Mendix application with low-level permissions
- Access to the Mendix application interface (typically web-based, reachable from the network)
- The Mendix application must be running an affected version
Requires valid user credentialsAuthenticated exploitationCould affect operational systems if Mendix is used for critical process controlAffects multiple major version lines (7, 8, 9)
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 or later
Mendix Applications using Mendix 8< V8.17.0V8.17.0 or later
Mendix Applications using Mendix 9< V9.0.5V9.0.5 or later
Mendix Applications using Mendix 8 (V8.6)< V8.6.9V8.17.0 or later
Mendix Applications using Mendix 8 (V8.12)< V8.12.5V8.17.0 or later
Remediation & Mitigation
0/7
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/5Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption
Mendix Applications using Mendix 8 (V8.6)
HOTFIXUpdate Mendix 8.6.x projects to V8.6.9 or later (preferably V8.18) and redeploy the application
Mendix Applications using Mendix 8 (V8.12)
HOTFIXUpdate Mendix 8.12.x projects to V8.12.5 or later (preferably V8.18) and redeploy the application
All products
HOTFIXUpdate Mendix 7 projects to V7.23.19 or later and redeploy the application
HOTFIXUpdate Mendix 8 projects to V8.17.0 or later (preferably V8.18) and redeploy the application
HOTFIXUpdate Mendix 9 projects to V9.0.5 or later and redeploy the application
Long-term hardening
0/2HARDENINGReview and restrict user account permissions in Mendix applications to least privilege principle—ensure users only have the minimum permissions needed for their role
HARDENINGImplement network-level access controls to restrict who can reach the Mendix application interface
CVEs (1)
↑↓ Navigate · Esc Close
API:
/api/v1/advisories/3bcd585f-3473-41ad-899a-c67118c44225