CVE-2019-8455 in ZoneAlarm
Summary
by MITRE
A hard-link created from the log file of Check Point ZoneAlarm up to 15.4.062 to any file on the system will get its permission changed so that all users can access that linked file. Doing this on files with limited access gains the local attacker higher privileges to the file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8455 represents a significant privilege escalation flaw within Check Point ZoneAlarm software version 15.4.062 and earlier. This issue stems from improper handling of symbolic links during log file operations, creating a path traversal and permission manipulation vulnerability that can be exploited by local attackers to gain elevated system privileges. The flaw specifically affects the software's logging mechanism where hard links are created to log files, allowing arbitrary file access through manipulation of these link structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when ZoneAlarm creates hard links to its log files, which are typically stored in protected directories with restricted access permissions. When an attacker creates a hard link from the ZoneAlarm log file to another file on the system, the software's underlying file handling logic modifies the permissions of the target file to make it accessible to all users. This permission change effectively removes the original access restrictions that protect sensitive system files, user data, or configuration files that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability operates at the file system level, exploiting the Windows file permission model where hard links can cause unexpected permission modifications.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8455 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to manipulate access controls on critical system resources. A local attacker with basic user privileges can leverage this vulnerability to access files that would normally require administrative or elevated permissions, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects any file on the system that can be targeted through the hard link mechanism, making it particularly dangerous in environments where sensitive data is stored in protected directories. This flaw is classified under CWE-276 as improper file permissions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through system weaknesses.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate software updates to patched versions of ZoneAlarm that address the hard link permission handling behavior. Organizations should implement the latest security patches provided by Check Point to resolve the underlying flaw in the logging mechanism. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive file permission audits to identify any files that may have been inadvertently modified due to exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file access patterns or permission changes that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure file handling practices in security software and highlights the need for proper access control mechanisms in all system components that interact with file systems.