CVE-2012-0692 in License
Summary
by MITRE
CA License (aka CA Licensing) before 1.90.03 allows local users to modify or create arbitrary files, and consequently gain privileges, via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0692 affects CA License (also known as CA Licensing) versions prior to 1.90.03, representing a critical local privilege escalation issue that exposes systems to unauthorized modification of critical files. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper privilege management and file system access control, where local attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to manipulate or create arbitrary files within the system. The flaw essentially allows malicious users with local access to bypass normal security controls and potentially elevate their privileges to administrative levels, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on this licensing software.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate file system permissions and access controls within the CA Licensing application. Attackers with local system access can leverage this weakness to modify or create files in locations where the application has elevated privileges, potentially leading to code execution or system compromise. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may manifest through multiple attack paths including improper file handling, weak directory permissions, or insecure temporary file creation. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and CWE-73, which covers improper file permissions leading to privilege escalation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a serious threat to system integrity and security posture, particularly in environments where local user access is not strictly controlled. Organizations running affected versions of CA Licensing are at risk of unauthorized privilege escalation, which could enable attackers to gain administrative access to systems, modify critical configuration files, or install malicious software. The local nature of the attack means that even systems with strong network security controls could be compromised if local access is available to unauthorized users. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can lead to cascading security breaches when combined with other system weaknesses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0692 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to CA Licensing version 1.90.03 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive access controls to limit local user privileges and regularly audit file system permissions for the CA Licensing application and related components. System administrators should monitor for unauthorized file modifications and implement intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other software components and ensure proper privilege separation. The remediation process should align with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, ensuring comprehensive coverage of potential attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially malicious code that could exploit this vulnerability.