CVE-2015-0662 in AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client 4.0(.00051) and earlier allows local users to gain privileges via crafted IPC messages that trigger use of root privileges for a software-package installation, aka Bug ID CSCus79385.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-0662 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client version 4.0(.00051) and earlier releases. This issue stems from improper handling of inter-process communication messages that can be manipulated by local attackers to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the software package installation process where root privileges are inadvertently invoked, creating an attack surface that allows unauthorized users to escalate their access level from standard user to administrative privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the AnyConnect client's insufficient validation of IPC messages during the software package installation phase. When legitimate IPC messages are crafted in a specific manner, they can trigger the client to execute installation procedures that require root privileges without proper authentication or authorization checks. This flaw operates under the principle of privilege escalation through improper access control mechanisms, aligning with CWE-284 which addresses inadequate access control and improper privilege management. The vulnerability essentially allows local users to bypass normal security boundaries that should prevent standard users from executing privileged operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Cisco AnyConnect for remote access and network security. Local attackers who gain access to a system running the vulnerable AnyConnect client can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise as attackers could use this privilege escalation to establish persistent access, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware within the network environment. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no network connectivity or remote exploitation, making it a local privilege escalation vector that can be exploited from within the system itself.
The attack scenario typically involves a local user who can interact with the system to send specially crafted IPC messages to the AnyConnect client process. These messages are designed to trigger the software installation mechanism, which then executes with elevated privileges due to insufficient input validation. This attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' and specifically addresses the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege elevation. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where local access controls may be insufficient or where users have varying levels of system access. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and privilege management in security-critical applications, especially those that handle system-level operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the AnyConnect client to version 4.1 or later where the issue has been addressed. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local user access to systems running vulnerable software. Additionally, monitoring for unusual IPC activity and installation events can help detect potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should consider implementing least privilege principles and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing network infrastructure while maintaining the security enhancements necessary to prevent exploitation of this privilege escalation vulnerability.