CVE-2018-11063 in WMS
Summary
by MITRE
Dell WMS versions 1.1 and prior are impacted by multiple unquoted service path vulnerabilities. Affected software installs multiple services incorrectly by specifying the paths to the service executables without quotes. This could potentially allow a low-privileged local user to execute arbitrary executables with elevated privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11063 affects Dell Workspace Manager versions 1.1 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in the service path configuration of the software. This issue stems from improper handling of executable paths during service installation, where the system fails to properly quote the paths to service executables. The flaw creates a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by low-privileged local users to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the Windows service installation process and demonstrates poor security practices in path handling that can lead to serious operational consequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the service installation mechanism where Dell Workspace Manager fails to properly encapsulate service executable paths with quotation marks during the installation process. When Windows attempts to execute services with unquoted paths, it follows a specific resolution order that can be manipulated by attackers. The operating system will first search for executables in the root directory of the path, then progressively move to subdirectories, creating opportunities for attackers to place malicious executables in directories that are searched before the legitimate service executables. This behavior aligns with CWE-428, which addresses the improper handling of unquoted service paths, and represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability that can be leveraged through the Windows service control manager.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within affected systems. A low-privileged user can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects Dell Workspace Manager installations on Windows operating systems and can be exploited to install backdoors, exfiltrate data, or establish persistent access to networked environments. This creates significant risk for enterprise environments where multiple users may have access to affected systems, as any user with local access could potentially escalate privileges and gain unauthorized control over the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11063 should focus on immediate remediation through the installation of updated Dell Workspace Manager software versions that properly quote service paths during installation. System administrators should also implement service path validation checks to identify and correct existing installations with unquoted paths. The vulnerability can be addressed through the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." Organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of their service installations to ensure all executables are properly quoted and consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized code execution. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that service installations follow secure coding practices and that system configurations adhere to security baseline requirements established by industry standards.