CVE-2019-1010101 in Rufus
Summary
by MITRE
Akeo Consulting Rufus 3.0 and earlier is affected by: Insecure Permissions. The impact is: arbitrary code execution with escalation of privilege. The component is: Executable installer, portable executable (ALL executables available). The attack vector is: CWE-29, CWE-377, CWE-379.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1010101 affects Akeo Consulting Rufus version 3.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw related to insecure permissions within the software's installation process. This issue manifests through the executable installer and portable executables, creating a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from improper permission settings that allow unauthorized users to manipulate critical system components, ultimately enabling privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution capabilities.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with multiple CWE classifications including CWE-29 (Path Traversal), CWE-377 (Insecure Temporary File), and CWE-379 (Creation of Temporary File in Directory with Insecure Permissions). These classifications indicate that the software creates temporary files or directories with insufficient access controls, allowing attackers to modify or replace critical executable components during the installation or execution process. The insecure permissions typically manifest as overly permissive file or directory ownership settings that permit users with minimal privileges to write to locations where executable code resides or is loaded.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with a pathway to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can gain complete control over the affected system, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or further lateral movement within network environments. The portable executable nature of the affected components means that the vulnerability extends beyond traditional installation boundaries, affecting all executables available within the Rufus ecosystem and potentially enabling more sophisticated attack vectors.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and secure temporary file handling practices. Organizations should immediately update to Rufus version 3.1 or later, which addresses these insecure permission issues through improved file handling mechanisms. System administrators should also conduct thorough audits of existing installations to identify any instances where insecure permissions might have been introduced through the vulnerable software. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls, regular security scanning for vulnerable software, and maintaining up-to-date software inventory records can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) tactics, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where attackers may leverage such vulnerabilities for persistent access and further compromise.