CVE-2020-9209 in SMC
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2021
There is a privilege escalation vulnerability in SMC2.0 product. Some files in a directory of a module are located improperly. It does not apply the directory limitation. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious file to launch privilege escalation. This can compromise normal service of affected products.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2021
The privilege escalation vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9209 affects the SMC2.0 product line, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the affected system's access control mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from improper file placement within a specific module directory structure, where the system fails to enforce proper directory limitations that would normally restrict file access and execution privileges. The misconfiguration creates an exploitable condition where unauthorized entities can manipulate the system's file hierarchy to elevate their privileges beyond normal operational boundaries.
The technical flaw manifests through inadequate access control enforcement within the module's directory structure, allowing attackers to craft malicious files that can be executed with elevated privileges. This improper file placement violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper directory isolation, enabling attackers to bypass normal authorization checks that should prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability specifically targets the module directory where files are improperly positioned, creating a path for privilege escalation attacks that can compromise the entire system's security posture.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe threat to the availability and integrity of normal service operations within affected SMC2.0 deployments. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain elevated privileges that allow them to modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or disrupt service availability. The compromised system can be leveraged to establish persistent access, escalate privileges further, or use the compromised system as a launch point for attacks against other networked systems. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected services, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly within the privilege escalation tactics where attackers leverage improper file permissions and directory structures to gain elevated system access. This weakness maps to CWE-276, which describes improper file permissions and inadequate access control mechanisms. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including proper directory permission controls, regular security audits of file placement configurations, and deployment of updated firmware or patches provided by the vendor. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be employed to detect anomalous file creation or modification activities within critical system directories, as these activities may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and directory structure management in preventing privilege escalation attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.