CVE-2019-17066 in Workspace Control
Summary
by MITRE
In Ivanti WorkSpace Control before 10.4.40.0, a user can elevate rights on the system by hijacking certain user registries. This is possible because pwrgrid.exe first checks the Current User registry hives (HKCU) when starting an application with elevated rights.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17066 resides within Ivanti WorkSpace Control software version 10.4.40.0 and earlier, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that allows unauthorized users to gain elevated system rights. This issue stems from improper handling of registry hive access during application execution, specifically affecting the pwrgrid.exe process which is responsible for managing application launches with elevated privileges. The vulnerability manifests when the system attempts to start applications with elevated rights by first checking the Current User registry hives under the HKCU key, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can manipulate registry entries before legitimate processes access them.
The technical flaw operates through a registry hijacking mechanism that violates standard security practices for privilege escalation controls. When pwrgrid.exe executes, it performs registry checks in the HKCU hive before verifying the legitimacy of the application being launched, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to place malicious registry entries that will be executed with elevated privileges. This design flaw directly correlates to CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and represents a classic case of insecure registry access patterns that allow unauthorized modifications to system-level configurations. The vulnerability essentially provides a path for local users to manipulate the execution flow of privileged processes through registry manipulation, bypassing normal access controls that should prevent such unauthorized elevation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exposure. An attacker with local user access can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with administrative privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects systems where Ivanti WorkSpace Control is deployed, particularly in enterprise environments where this software is used for application management and control. Security researchers have noted that the impact is particularly severe because the privilege escalation occurs without requiring additional attack vectors or user interaction beyond initial access, making it a high-value target for adversaries seeking persistent access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-17066 should focus on immediate patching of affected Ivanti WorkSpace Control installations to version 10.4.40.0 or later, which addresses the registry access control issue. Organizations should implement registry monitoring and integrity checking mechanisms to detect unauthorized modifications to HKCU hive entries, particularly those related to application execution paths. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting user access to registry keys that control application execution, while also implementing proper access control lists and discretionary access controls that align with NIST SP 800-53 security requirements. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular audits of registry configurations and implement endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify suspicious registry modifications that may indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068 (Local Port Forwarding) and T1547.001 (Registry Run Keys) tactics, indicating the need for monitoring both registry modifications and application execution patterns that could signal exploitation attempts.