CVE-2018-5199 in G3 ALL
Summary
by MITRE
In Veraport G3 ALL on MacOS, due to insufficient domain validation, It is possible to overwrite installation file to malicious file. A remote unauthenticated attacker may use this vulnerability to execute arbitrary file.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5199 affects Veraport G3 ALL software running on macOS systems, representing a critical security flaw that stems from inadequate domain validation mechanisms within the installation process. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate the installation workflow by replacing legitimate installation files with malicious counterparts, effectively creating a privilege escalation vector that could compromise the entire system. The vulnerability specifically targets the software installation and update mechanisms, where proper validation of file sources and domains is insufficient to prevent unauthorized modifications.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the installation process failing to properly verify the authenticity and integrity of installation files before execution. When the software attempts to download or update installation components, it does not adequately validate whether the source domain matches the expected legitimate domain, creating an opportunity for attackers to host malicious files on compromised or spoofed domains. This allows for man-in-the-middle attacks where attackers can intercept the installation process and substitute legitimate files with malicious ones that will execute with the privileges of the installation process. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages weaknesses in certificate validation and domain trust mechanisms that are fundamental to secure software distribution.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5199 is severe and far-reaching, as it provides remote unauthenticated attackers with a straightforward path to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability can be exploited without requiring any authentication credentials or prior access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may unknowingly initiate the vulnerable installation process. The attack vector typically involves the attacker compromising a domain that the software might legitimately connect to during updates, or manipulating network traffic to redirect installation requests to malicious servers. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, persistence mechanisms being established, and potential lateral movement within network environments.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295 which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" and represents a failure in implementing proper domain validation controls. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to prevent access to untrusted domains, deployment of network monitoring tools to detect suspicious installation traffic, and mandatory application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution. Additionally, updating to patched versions of Veraport G3 ALL software and implementing proper certificate pinning mechanisms would address the root cause of this vulnerability. The incident underscores the critical importance of proper domain validation and certificate trust mechanisms in software installation processes, particularly in enterprise environments where automated updates and installations are common.