CVE-2015-7597 in Authentication Service IIS Agent
Summary
by MITRE
SafeNet Authentication Service IIS Agent uses a weak ACL for unspecified installation directories and executable modules, which allows local users to gain privileges by modifying an executable module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2020
The SafeNet Authentication Service IIS Agent vulnerability represents a critical access control weakness that undermines the security posture of authentication infrastructure components. This vulnerability specifically affects the installation directories and executable modules of the SafeNet Authentication Service IIS Agent, which is designed to provide secure authentication services for web applications and enterprise environments. The flaw manifests as the use of weak access control lists that fail to properly restrict write permissions for critical system components, creating exploitable pathways for local privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate permission modeling during the installation process of the authentication agent. When the SafeNet Authentication Service IIS Agent is deployed, it establishes installation directories and executable modules with overly permissive access control lists that do not adequately restrict write access to authenticated local users. This weakness allows attackers with local system access to modify critical executable components, potentially enabling them to inject malicious code or alter the behavior of the authentication service. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local privilege escalation level, where attackers can leverage their existing system access to elevate their privileges and gain broader system control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can compromise the integrity of the entire authentication infrastructure. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can manipulate the authentication service to bypass security controls, potentially gaining unauthorized access to protected resources, modifying authentication policies, or creating persistent backdoors within the system. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on SafeNet Authentication Service IIS Agent for secure web authentication, potentially exposing sensitive data and critical business applications to unauthorized access. This weakness particularly impacts enterprise environments where authentication services form the foundation of security controls and where the compromise of authentication infrastructure can have cascading effects throughout the organization's security posture.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate access control remediation and comprehensive system hardening. Organizations must immediately review and strengthen the access control lists for all installation directories and executable modules associated with the SafeNet Authentication Service IIS Agent, implementing principle of least privilege access controls that restrict write permissions to authorized administrative accounts only. The recommended approach includes implementing proper discretionary access control mechanisms that align with security best practices and industry standards. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper file permissions, and represents a classic example of weak access control that can be exploited through privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to critical system components and establish automated patch management processes to ensure timely remediation of such vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique under the "Modify System Image" and "Access Token Manipulation" domains, emphasizing the need for comprehensive system integrity protection measures.