CVE-2018-15865 in Secure Desktop
Summary
by MITRE
The Pulse Secure Desktop (macOS) has a Privilege Escalation Vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2020
The Pulse Secure Desktop client for macOS contains a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that allows attackers to elevate their privileges from a standard user account to root access. This vulnerability specifically affects the desktop client application that provides secure remote access to corporate networks through virtual private network connections. The flaw exists within the client's privilege management mechanisms and represents a significant security risk for organizations relying on Pulse Secure solutions for remote access. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps to CWE-276, which describes improper privileges assigned to a component, and specifically relates to CWE-782, which addresses exposure of a privilege escalation vulnerability to an unauthorized actor. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this privilege escalation flaw stems from improper privilege handling within the macOS client application's installation and execution processes. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating specific system components or by leveraging the client's interaction with system services that should normally require administrative privileges. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly validate privilege levels during critical operations, allowing unauthorized code execution with root privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically categorized under T1068, which describes the use of legitimate credentials to gain access to additional systems. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious payloads that can be executed through the vulnerable client interface, bypassing normal macOS security controls such as system integrity protection and code signing enforcement mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Organizations using Pulse Secure Desktop clients become vulnerable to sophisticated attacks where threat actors can establish persistent access, install backdoors, and exfiltrate sensitive corporate data. The vulnerability affects the entire macOS ecosystem where the client is installed, potentially compromising multiple user accounts and system resources. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering techniques or by compromising user sessions, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where remote access is extensively used. The impact is compounded by the fact that many organizations deploy Pulse Secure clients across large user bases, meaning a single exploited client can potentially compromise numerous systems. This vulnerability also affects the organization's overall security posture by potentially exposing sensitive network infrastructure and internal resources that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for this privilege escalation vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected Pulse Secure Desktop clients to the latest available versions that address the privilege handling flaw. Organizations should implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized privilege escalation attempts through system logs and security information and event management solutions. The recommended approach includes disabling unnecessary client features, implementing application whitelisting policies, and conducting regular security assessments of remote access solutions. Security teams should also consider deploying network monitoring tools to detect suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their remote access policies and ensure that administrative privileges are properly restricted and that users are educated about the risks associated with privilege escalation attacks. The mitigation process should align with industry best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-53 for security controls and the ISO 27001 information security management framework. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities are identified and addressed before they can be exploited by malicious actors.