CVE-2020-15724 in 360 Total Security
Summary
by MITRE
In the version 12.1.0.1005 and below of 360 Total Security, when the Gamefolde calls GameChrome.exe, there exists a local privilege escalation vulnerability. An attacker who could exploit DLL hijacking to bypass the hips could execute arbitrary code on the Local system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2020-15724 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within 360 Total Security version 12.1.0.1005 and earlier. This issue specifically manifests when the Gamefolder component invokes the GameChrome.exe executable, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to elevate their privileges from standard user to system-level access. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of dynamic link library loading mechanisms within the software's architecture, particularly affecting the Windows operating system's security model.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves a classic DLL hijacking attack vector where an attacker can manipulate the dynamic link library search order to load malicious code instead of legitimate system libraries. This vulnerability operates under the CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path category, where the application searches for libraries in insecure locations that could be compromised by an attacker. The attack chain begins with the Gamefolder component executing GameChrome.exe, which then loads a vulnerable DLL that has been placed in a directory that is searched before the legitimate system directories. This behavior violates the principle of least privilege and creates an opportunity for privilege escalation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to systems running affected versions of 360 Total Security, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to full system compromise, as successful exploitation grants attackers complete control over the target system. This vulnerability affects the Windows security model by undermining the integrity of the application's execution environment, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls such as User Account Control and other privilege separation mechanisms. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond the normal operation of the security software.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-15724 involve several approaches that align with established cybersecurity practices and frameworks. Organizations should immediately update to version 12.1.0.1006 or later of 360 Total Security, as this release contains the necessary patches to address the DLL hijacking vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as monitoring for suspicious DLL loading patterns and applying the principle of least privilege to limit the execution of potentially vulnerable components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, with specific techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1087 Account Discovery. Network monitoring should focus on detecting unusual process execution patterns and unauthorized DLL loading activities, particularly when observing the GameChrome.exe process attempting to load libraries from non-standard directories. Additionally, endpoint detection and response solutions should be configured to alert on suspicious behavior related to dynamic link library loading in security software applications, as this represents a common attack pattern used by adversaries seeking to maintain persistent access to compromised systems.