CVE-2017-2744 in Support Assistant
Summary
by MITRE
The vulnerability allows attacker to extract binaries into protected file system locations in HP Support Assistant before 12.7.26.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2744 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within HP Support Assistant software versions prior to 12.7.26.1. This issue stems from insufficient access controls and inadequate validation mechanisms that permit unauthorized users to manipulate the installation process of software components. The flaw specifically affects the binary extraction functionality within the support assistant framework, creating opportunities for malicious actors to place arbitrary files in protected system directories. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-284, where the software fails to properly enforce access restrictions on critical system resources. Attackers can exploit this weakness by leveraging the application's trust in local file operations without sufficient verification of file integrity or destination permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the software installation or update process where HP Support Assistant performs binary extraction operations into system directories. The flaw arises from the application's failure to validate the target locations for file extraction, allowing attackers to manipulate the extraction path to point to protected system areas such as system32 directories or other critical locations. This weakness enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, as the extracted binaries are placed in locations where they can be executed with system-level permissions. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of CWE-73, which addresses external control of filename or path, where user-controllable input directly influences file system operations without proper sanitization. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious installation packages or manipulating existing update mechanisms to force the application to extract files to unauthorized locations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2744 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating potential for complete system compromise and persistent access within affected environments. When exploited successfully, attackers can deploy backdoors, rootkits, or other malicious software components that persist across system reboots and remain undetected by standard security monitoring tools. The vulnerability affects enterprise environments where HP Support Assistant is widely deployed, potentially allowing attackers to establish footholds in networks through compromised endpoints. This weakness can be leveraged as part of multi-stage attack campaigns, where initial access is gained through other vulnerabilities and then used to escalate privileges and maintain persistence. The impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of local privilege escalation to gain higher-level system access, and T1546, which covers the installation of persistence mechanisms through legitimate system tools.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating HP Support Assistant to version 12.7.26.1 or later, which contains patches addressing the access control deficiencies. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of the software and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized binaries, monitoring for suspicious file creation patterns in protected directories, and conducting regular security audits of system installation processes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against multiple attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous file extraction activities and unauthorized binary installations that may indicate exploitation attempts.