CVE-2019-6566 in Communicator
Summary
by MITRE
GE Communicator, all versions prior to 4.0.517, allows a non-administrative user to replace the uninstaller with a malicious version, which could allow an attacker to gain administrator privileges to the system.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6566 affects GE Communicator software versions prior to 4.0.517, presenting a critical privilege escalation risk through improper file replacement mechanisms. This flaw resides in the uninstaller component of the software installation process, where non-administrative users can manipulate the uninstallation procedure to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and file permission management during the uninstall process, creating an attack vector that directly exploits the principle of least privilege. The flaw allows an attacker with standard user credentials to substitute the legitimate uninstaller executable with a malicious variant, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized administrative actions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of the uninstaller file within the software installation directory, where the application fails to properly validate file integrity or enforce proper access controls. This represents a classic case of insecure file handling and privilege escalation through application manipulation, with the vulnerability being categorized under CWE-732, which deals with inadequate privilege management or insufficient privileges for security-relevant operations. The flaw specifically impacts the Windows operating system environment where GE Communicator is deployed, as the uninstall process relies on standard Windows file permissions that can be exploited by local users to gain elevated system access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to enterprise environments where GE Communicator is widely deployed, as it allows attackers to escalate privileges from standard user accounts to administrator level without requiring additional authentication or authorization. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed locally on the target system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may have legitimate access to systems but should not possess administrative capabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through the exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage to execute malicious code.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch version 4.0.517 or higher, which addresses the privilege escalation issue through proper file access controls and uninstaller validation mechanisms. Additional mitigations include implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized uninstaller processes, conducting regular security audits of installed software components, and ensuring that users have appropriate access controls to prevent unauthorized file modifications. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious uninstaller activity can also help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege management in system components and highlights the need for comprehensive security reviews of installation and uninstallation processes in enterprise software deployments.