CVE-2016-6593 in VIP Access Desktop
Summary
by MITRE
A code-execution vulnerability exists during startup in jhi.dll and otpiha.dll in Symantec VIP Access Desktop before 2.2.2, which could let local malicious users execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6593 represents a critical code-execution flaw in Symantec VIP Access Desktop software, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.2.2. This vulnerability manifests during the application startup process and affects two key dynamic link libraries: jhi.dll and otpiha.dll. The flaw creates a persistent security weakness that allows local attackers with minimal privileges to potentially escalate their access and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the security infrastructure that Symantec VIP Access Desktop is designed to provide.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the jhi.dll and otpiha.dll components during application initialization. These libraries are responsible for managing hardware-based authentication tokens and cryptographic operations within the VIP Access Desktop environment. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the startup sequence to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the running process. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses improper restriction of operations within a limited access scope, and specifically demonstrates how insufficient bounds checking and memory management can create execution paths for malicious code injection. The flaw represents a classic buffer overflow or memory corruption vulnerability that enables arbitrary code execution through carefully crafted inputs during the application's initialization phase.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Symantec VIP Access Desktop for two-factor authentication. Local malicious users who can access the system can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive authentication data and potentially compromise the entire authentication infrastructure. The attack vector requires only local system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical security controls may be inadequate. The vulnerability's timing during startup means that any user with access to the system can potentially exploit it before the application has fully initialized its security controls. This characteristic makes the flaw particularly attractive to attackers who seek persistent access to systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1068, which addresses exploit for privilege escalation.
Organizations should immediately update to Symantec VIP Access Desktop version 2.2.2 or later to remediate this vulnerability. The update addresses the memory handling issues in jhi.dll and otpiha.dll through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should implement network segmentation to limit local access to systems running the vulnerable software and consider deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should include verification of software versions and patch compliance to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other components of the authentication infrastructure. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and the potential consequences of running outdated software in security-critical applications.