CVE-2018-4050 in Galaxy
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the privileged helper tool of GOG Galaxy's Games, version 1.2.47 for macOS. An attacker can globally adjust folder permissions leading to execution of arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-4050 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw in GOG Galaxy's Games helper tool version 1.2.47 for macOS systems. This issue resides within the privileged helper tool mechanism that GOG Galaxy employs to perform administrative tasks on behalf of the user. The vulnerability stems from improper permission handling within the helper tool's file system operations, specifically allowing unprivileged users to manipulate folder permissions in ways that ultimately lead to privilege escalation. The flaw manifests when the helper tool processes directory modifications without adequate validation of the requesting user's privileges or the integrity of the permission changes being applied.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the helper tool's failure to properly validate file system operations performed by unprivileged users. When an attacker manipulates folder permissions globally, the helper tool executes these changes without proper authorization checks, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions and inadequate access control mechanisms. The flaw essentially allows for a privilege escalation attack where a local user can elevate their privileges to root level through manipulation of the helper tool's permission handling routines.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to macOS systems running affected versions of GOG Galaxy. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain root access to the system, potentially enabling them to install malicious software, modify system files, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The impact extends beyond the immediate application since the privilege escalation allows for persistent access to the entire system. Security researchers have noted that such helper tool vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they often operate with elevated privileges and may not be subject to the same security restrictions as regular user applications. The attack vector requires local access to the system, making it exploitable in scenarios where an attacker already has user-level access but seeks to escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-4050 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates from GOG Galaxy, as the vendor has released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including monitoring for unusual permission changes and restricting access to privileged helper tools. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper privilege separation and access control validation in macOS helper tools, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploit techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially malicious code, particularly in environments where multiple users have access to shared systems.