CVE-2020-15496 in True Image
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2021
Acronis True Image for Mac before 2021 Update 4 allowed local privilege escalation due to insecure folder permissions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-15496 affects Acronis True Image for Mac versions prior to 2021 Update 4, presenting a critical local privilege escalation risk through insecure folder permissions. This flaw enables attackers with low-privilege user access to escalate their privileges and gain administrative control over the affected system. The vulnerability stems from improper permission settings on specific directories within the application's installation structure, creating exploitable pathways for privilege elevation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly secure its installation directories and associated files. Attackers can leverage these insecure permissions to modify critical system components, inject malicious code, or manipulate the application's execution flow. The flaw specifically targets folder permissions that should be restricted to administrative users only, but instead remain accessible to regular user accounts. This misconfiguration allows unauthorized modifications that can ultimately lead to complete system compromise.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Acronis True Image is deployed. Organizations running affected versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The privilege escalation capability means that even a compromised low-privilege account could be leveraged to gain full administrative control, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments. Security teams must consider the potential for lateral movement and persistent access when evaluating the impact of this flaw.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-732, which addresses inadequate permissions for critical resources, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through improper permissions. This classification indicates that the flaw represents a fundamental security misconfiguration rather than a complex exploit requiring advanced techniques. The remediation process involves updating to Acronis True Image 2021 Update 4 or later, which properly implements secure folder permissions and restricts access to privileged directories. Organizations should also conduct thorough permission audits on existing installations and implement monitoring for unauthorized modifications to system directories.
Security best practices recommend immediate deployment of the vendor's patch and verification of proper permission settings on all affected systems. Additional mitigations include implementing application whitelisting controls, monitoring for suspicious file modifications, and conducting regular security assessments of third-party applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper permission management in security-sensitive applications and highlights the need for regular security updates and configuration reviews. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls and maintaining up-to-date inventory of installed applications to prevent similar issues in the future.