CVE-2019-6544 in Communicator
Summary
by MITRE
GE Communicator, all versions prior to 4.0.517, has a service running with system privileges that may allow an unprivileged user to perform certain administrative actions, which may allow the execution of scheduled scripts with system administrator privileges. This service is inaccessible to attackers if Windows default firewall settings are used by the end user.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6544 affects GE Communicator software versions prior to 4.0.517, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that undermines the security model of the application. This issue stems from a service component that operates with elevated system privileges while being accessible to unprivileged user accounts. The flaw creates an inherent security gap where standard user accounts can manipulate administrative functions through the vulnerable service interface, effectively bypassing normal access controls that should restrict such operations to authorized administrators only. The service's design allows for the execution of scheduled scripts with system-level privileges, creating a pathway for unauthorized code execution that could be leveraged for further compromise of the affected system.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a privilege escalation vector where the service running with system privileges exposes functionality that should remain restricted. The flaw operates at the service level within the GE Communicator application, where the service maintains elevated permissions but fails to properly validate user credentials or enforce access controls for administrative operations. This misconfiguration allows unprivileged users to invoke administrative functions through the service interface, which in turn enables the execution of scheduled scripts with full system privileges. The underlying mechanism appears to involve insufficient input validation and access control enforcement within the service's API or command processing components, creating a direct pathway for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-6544 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with persistent access to system-level functions through scheduled script execution capabilities. This vulnerability can be exploited to maintain long-term presence on compromised systems, as scheduled scripts with system privileges can execute automatically without requiring continuous user interaction. The implications for industrial control systems and operational technology environments are particularly concerning, as GE Communicator is commonly deployed in critical infrastructure scenarios where unauthorized system access could lead to operational disruptions or security breaches. The vulnerability's exploitation potential increases when considering that the service operates with elevated privileges, allowing attackers to potentially modify system configurations, install malicious software, or access sensitive data that would otherwise be restricted to authorized administrators.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to GE Communicator version 4.0.517 or later, which addresses the privilege escalation flaw through proper access control enforcement. Network segmentation and firewall configuration should be reviewed to ensure that the vulnerable service is not exposed to untrusted networks, as the vulnerability's effectiveness is reduced when default Windows firewall settings are properly configured. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual service access patterns or scheduled script executions that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for security teams responsible for protecting operational technology environments. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential service-level privilege escalation vectors within the organization's industrial control systems and operational technology infrastructure.