CVE-2020-26050 in SaferVPN
Summary
by MITRE • 01/12/2021
SaferVPN for Windows Ver 5.0.3.3 through 5.0.4.15 could allow local privilege escalation from low privileged users to SYSTEM via a crafted openssl configuration file. This issue is similar to CVE-2019-12572.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-26050 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within SaferVPN for Windows versions 5.0.3.3 through 5.0.4.15. This security weakness allows low-privileged users to escalate their privileges to the SYSTEM level through manipulation of an openssl configuration file, demonstrating a significant weakness in the application's privilege management and file handling mechanisms. The vulnerability operates by exploiting the way the application processes openssl configuration files, creating an attack vector that could be leveraged by malicious actors to gain elevated system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper privilege handling and insecure file processing within the SaferVPN client software. When the application processes openssl configuration files, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input, allowing a local attacker to craft a malicious configuration file that triggers privilege escalation. This flaw aligns with common privilege escalation patterns documented in CWE-269 which addresses "Improper Privilege Management" and CWE-787 which covers "Out-of-bounds Write" conditions that can occur during improper input validation. The vulnerability essentially creates a path where user-level processes can manipulate system-level configuration elements to achieve administrative privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to systems running affected SaferVPN versions, as it allows any local user to potentially gain SYSTEM-level access without requiring additional authentication or complex attack vectors. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites and can be exploited through simple file manipulation. Security professionals should note that this issue shares similarities with CVE-2019-12572, suggesting a pattern of insecure handling of cryptographic configuration files within the SaferVPN product line. This pattern indicates potential systemic weaknesses in how the application manages cryptographic libraries and configuration processing.
The exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to installing malware, modifying system files, creating persistent backdoors, and accessing sensitive data. The privilege escalation capability fundamentally undermines the security model of the operating system and can lead to complete system compromise. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling and incident response planning, as it represents a direct pathway to system-wide compromise. The attack could be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where multiple users have access to systems running vulnerable SaferVPN versions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected SaferVPN versions to the latest releases that address the privilege escalation issue. System administrators should also implement additional controls such as restricting write permissions to openssl configuration directories and monitoring for unauthorized file modifications. The principle of least privilege should be enforced to minimize potential impact if exploitation occurs, and network segmentation should be considered to limit lateral movement. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their SaferVPN deployments and consider alternative VPN solutions that have been verified as free from similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper privilege separation and secure configuration file handling in security-critical applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1548 which addresses "Abuse of Functionality" in privilege escalation scenarios.