CVE-2019-18232 in Sentinel LDK License Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SafeNet Sentinel LDK License Manager, all versions prior to 7.101(only Microsoft Windows versions are affected) is vulnerable when configured as a service. This vulnerability may allow an attacker with local access to create, write, and/or delete files in system folder using symbolic links, leading to a privilege escalation. This vulnerability could also be used by an attacker to execute a malicious DLL, which could impact the integrity and availability of the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2024
The SafeNet Sentinel LDK License Manager vulnerability CVE-2019-18232 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting Windows systems running versions prior to 7.101. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the license manager is configured to operate as a service, creating a dangerous attack surface that exploits improper file system handling mechanisms. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of symbolic link operations within the service context, allowing local attackers to manipulate file system operations that should be restricted to privileged processes. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-59, which specifically addresses improper handling of symbolic links, making it a well-documented weakness in software security design patterns. When exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to escalate privileges by creating, writing to, or deleting files in system directories through carefully crafted symbolic link attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the license manager service executing file operations without proper validation of symbolic link targets, which creates a path traversal scenario. Attackers can leverage this by creating malicious symbolic links that point to system directories, then triggering the license manager service to perform operations on these links. This allows for arbitrary file manipulation in protected system locations, effectively bypassing normal access controls and privilege boundaries. The service context provides elevated privileges that are typically restricted to system administrators, but the vulnerability enables local users to exploit these elevated permissions through malicious file system operations. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through service privilege abuse, and demonstrates how legitimate system services can become attack vectors when not properly secured against symbolic link manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-18232 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential system compromise through DLL injection attacks. Once an attacker gains elevated privileges through file system manipulation, they can replace legitimate system DLLs with malicious versions, leading to code execution with system-level privileges. This capability significantly impacts system integrity and availability, as attackers can modify critical system components, disable security features, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on SafeNet Sentinel LDK for software licensing, particularly those running older versions where patching may not be immediately possible. The impact is compounded by the fact that this is a local privilege escalation vulnerability, meaning attackers need only local access to exploit it, which could be gained through various initial attack vectors such as phishing, compromised credentials, or unpatched remote access vulnerabilities. Organizations using this software should consider the broader security implications and implement compensating controls to mitigate the risk of exploitation, including monitoring for unusual file system activity and ensuring proper service configuration to prevent symbolic link manipulation.