CVE-2019-5241 in PCManager
Summary
by MITRE
There is a privilege escalation vulnerability in Huawei PCManager versions earlier than PCManager 9.0.1.50. The attacker can tricking a user to install and run a malicious application to exploit this vulnerability. Successful exploitation may cause the attacker to obtain a higher privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5241 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Huawei PCManager software versions prior to 9.0.1.50. This weakness resides in the software's improper handling of user privileges during application installation and execution processes, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to elevate their system access rights. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows-based PCManager application that users employ for device management and software updates, making it a significant concern for enterprise and individual users alike.
The technical implementation of this privilege escalation vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and privilege checking mechanisms within the PCManager installation framework. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious applications that leverage the software's trust model, where legitimate system operations are performed with elevated privileges. The flaw typically manifests when a user unknowingly installs a compromised application that triggers the vulnerable code path, allowing malicious code execution with administrative privileges. This represents a classic example of a privilege escalation vulnerability where the attacker exploits a legitimate software function to gain unauthorized elevated access.
From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2019-5241 creates a severe security risk as it enables attackers to gain system-level privileges without requiring additional authentication or advanced exploitation techniques. The attack vector relies heavily on social engineering to trick users into installing malicious applications, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently compromise their systems. Once escalated, attackers can modify system files, install additional malware, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent access to compromised systems. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and undermines the security model of the affected operating systems.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-269: "Improper Privilege Management" and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068: "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including mandatory software updates to PCManager version 9.0.1.50 or later, user education programs to recognize suspicious installations, and network monitoring for unusual privilege escalation activities. Additionally, system administrators should review and restrict installation permissions for management software, implement application whitelisting policies, and conduct regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The recommended remediation includes not only patching the vulnerable software but also establishing security awareness training to prevent social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability.