CVE-2019-6175 in System Update
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability was reported in Lenovo System Update versions prior to 5.07.0088 that could allow configuration files to be written to non-standard locations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6175 represents a significant security flaw in Lenovo System Update software versions prior to 5.07.0088, where the application fails to properly validate file paths during configuration file operations. This issue falls under the category of insecure file handling and path manipulation, which can be classified as CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate the system by writing configuration files to arbitrary locations on the target system, potentially compromising system integrity and availability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the Lenovo System Update application. When processing configuration files, the software does not properly sanitize or verify the destination paths, allowing attackers to specify non-standard locations for file creation. This weakness creates an opportunity for privilege escalation and system compromise, as configuration files often contain critical system parameters and settings that influence application behavior. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of software configuration management and file system permissions, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where system update processes are frequently executed with elevated privileges.
From an operational perspective, this denial of service vulnerability can have severe consequences for organizations relying on Lenovo System Update for firmware and driver management. Attackers can exploit this weakness to disrupt normal system operations by writing malicious configuration files to critical system directories, potentially causing system instability, application failures, or complete system unavailability. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can enable further exploitation avenues, including privilege escalation attacks and persistent system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in managed environments where system update processes are automated and may run with administrative privileges, creating a potential attack vector for lateral movement and persistent access within network infrastructures.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Lenovo System Update version 5.07.0088 or later to address this vulnerability, as it represents a critical security risk that can be exploited without user interaction. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive patch management procedures, network monitoring for suspicious file creation activities, and privileged access control measures to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Security teams should also implement file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized configuration file modifications and establish baseline system states for configuration files to quickly identify any malicious changes. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in system management software, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 Privilege Escalation and T1484.001 Domain Policy Modification, as it can enable attackers to modify system configurations and potentially establish persistent access through compromised update processes.