CVE-2020-28392 in SIMARIS Configuration
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2021
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMARIS configuration (All versions). During installation to default target folder, incorrect permissions are configured for the application folder and subfolders which could allow an attacker to gain persistence or potentially escalate privileges should a user with elevated credentials log onto the machine.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2021
This vulnerability resides within the SIMARIS configuration software where improper permission settings are established during the default installation process. The flaw manifests when the application folder and its subdirectories are created with insufficient access controls, allowing unauthorized users to manipulate critical system components. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-732 which specifically addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, making it a fundamental security misconfiguration that directly impacts system integrity and access control mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the installation routine failing to properly configure file system permissions for the application directories. When SIMARIS is installed to its default target folder, the security descriptors assigned to the application folder and nested subfolders are set with overly permissive access rights. This misconfiguration enables local users to modify or execute files within the application directory structure, creating potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and persistent access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by users who may not initially possess elevated privileges, but could leverage the misconfigured permissions to gain higher-level system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it provides attackers with multiple exploitation pathways. An attacker who gains access to a system where SIMARIS is installed with these incorrect permissions can potentially maintain persistent access through modifications to application files or by creating malicious components within the application directory structure. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation and T1547 which covers registry run keys and startup folder modifications. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users may have varying privilege levels and where the application is frequently used for critical infrastructure configuration tasks.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures by reviewing and correcting the file system permissions for all SIMARIS installation directories. The recommended approach involves setting appropriate access control lists that restrict write and execute permissions to authorized administrative users only. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all installed SIMARIS versions to identify affected systems and ensure that proper permission settings are applied to the application folders and subdirectories. Additionally, implementing automated permission monitoring tools can help detect and alert on any unauthorized changes to critical application directories, providing ongoing protection against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation during software installation processes and highlights the need for security-conscious development practices. The misconfiguration represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement and creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent footholds within target environments. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and regular security assessments to prevent similar misconfigurations from occurring in other software installations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly benign application installations can create significant security risks when proper security controls are not implemented during the deployment phase.