CVE-2020-8102 in Total Security 2020
Summary
by MITRE
Improper Input Validation vulnerability in the Safepay browser component of Bitdefender Total Security 2020 allows an external, specially crafted web page to run remote commands inside the Safepay Utility process. This issue affects Bitdefender Total Security 2020 versions prior to 24.0.20.116.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2020
The CVE-2020-8102 vulnerability represents a critical improper input validation flaw within Bitdefender Total Security 2020's Safepay browser component, which operates as a privileged utility process designed to handle sensitive web transactions. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands within the context of the Safepay utility process. The flaw specifically affects versions prior to 24.0.20.116, indicating that Bitdefender has addressed this issue in subsequent releases through proper input sanitization measures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a user visits a specially crafted web page that contains malicious input designed to bypass the Safepay component's validation mechanisms. The Safepay utility process, which typically operates with elevated privileges to perform security-related functions, becomes vulnerable to command injection attacks due to the lack of proper input filtering. This allows an attacker to execute remote commands with the privileges of the Safepay utility process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability falls under CWE-20, which specifically addresses improper input validation as a fundamental security weakness that enables various attack vectors including command injection and code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to endpoint security because the Safepay component operates in a privileged context, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges. The attack requires only a user to visit a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. Once executed, the remote command execution capability could enable attackers to install malware, exfiltrate data, establish persistence mechanisms, or perform other malicious activities that leverage the elevated privileges of the Safepay process. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and undermines the security boundaries that the Safepay component is designed to maintain.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2020-8102 involves immediate deployment of Bitdefender Total Security 2020 version 24.0.20.116 or later, which includes proper input validation controls and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent users from accessing malicious websites. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping security software up to date. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), highlighting the potential for attackers to leverage this flaw as part of broader attack chains. The remediation process should also include monitoring for suspicious process execution patterns and implementing application control measures to prevent unauthorized command execution within privileged contexts.