CVE-2009-5150 in Computrace Agent
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute Computrace Agent V80.845 and V80.866 does not have a digital signature for the configuration block, which allows attackers to set up communication with a web site other than the intended search.namequery.com site by modifying data within a disk's inter-partition space. This allows a privileged local user to execute arbitrary code even after that user loses access and all disk partitions are reformatted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2020
The CVE-2009-5150 vulnerability affects the Absolute Computrace Agent version 80.845 and 80.866, representing a critical security flaw in endpoint protection software that operates at a system-level. This vulnerability stems from the absence of digital signature validation for the configuration block within the agent's memory structure, creating a persistent backdoor mechanism that can be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw exists in the inter-partition space of storage devices, where the agent stores its configuration data, allowing unauthorized modification of critical operational parameters that control communication endpoints.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of cryptographic integrity verification for the agent's configuration data stored in the disk's inter-partition space. When an attacker gains local access to a system running the vulnerable Computrace Agent, they can manipulate the configuration block without detection, redirecting the agent's communication to malicious servers instead of the legitimate search.namequery.com endpoint. This modification persists across system reboots and disk partition reformatting because the configuration data exists outside the standard partition boundaries and is not subject to normal filesystem integrity checks. The vulnerability operates at a low system level, leveraging the agent's persistent storage mechanisms to maintain control even after traditional security measures have been applied.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond typical local privilege escalation scenarios, as it creates a persistent threat vector that survives complete system reinstallation and data sanitization processes. A privileged local user who exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively establishing a persistent backdoor that remains active regardless of system administration actions. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows threat actors to maintain long-term access to compromised systems, even when disk partitions are reformatted and the operating system is reinstalled. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1547.001 for Registry Run Keys and T1566.001 for Phishing, as it enables persistent access and command execution capabilities that can be leveraged for data exfiltration or further system compromise.
The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in software design where critical configuration data lacks cryptographic integrity protection, making it susceptible to modification by local users with appropriate privileges. This weakness represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate security controls in the agent's configuration management system. The absence of digital signatures for configuration blocks creates an attack surface that allows for arbitrary code execution without requiring additional exploitation techniques, as the modified configuration data directly controls the agent's behavior. Organizations implementing this software face significant risk from insider threats and compromised accounts, as the vulnerability does not require advanced exploitation techniques but rather relies on the inherent design flaw in the agent's configuration handling.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-5150 should focus on immediate software updates to versions that implement proper digital signature validation for configuration blocks. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems running the affected agent versions and ensure all endpoints are updated to patched releases. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual communication patterns that might indicate redirection to unauthorized servers, particularly focusing on outbound connections to non-standard domains. The implementation of endpoint detection and response solutions can help identify unauthorized modifications to system configuration data, while regular security audits should verify the integrity of critical system components. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege access controls and monitoring to limit local user access to system configuration data, aligning with CWE-327's emphasis on proper cryptographic implementation and security controls.