CVE-2021-32462 in Password Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 07/08/2021
Trend Micro Password Manager (Consumer) version 5.0.0.1217 and below is vulnerable to an Exposed Hazardous Function Remote Code Execution vulnerability which could allow an unprivileged client to manipulate the registry and escalate privileges to SYSTEM on affected installations. Authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-32462 affects Trend Micro Password Manager Consumer version 5.0.0.1217 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through an exposed hazardous function. This vulnerability resides within the password manager's client-side implementation and represents a significant escalation of privilege vulnerability that allows unprivileged users to manipulate system registry entries and subsequently gain SYSTEM-level privileges. The flaw demonstrates a classic privilege escalation vector where a local attacker with minimal privileges can leverage the exposed function to execute arbitrary code with elevated system rights, effectively bypassing standard user access controls and system security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the Trend Micro Password Manager application, specifically within its registry manipulation functions. When an authenticated user interacts with the vulnerable software, the application fails to properly validate or restrict access to critical system registry operations that should only be accessible to privileged processes. This exposed function allows for direct registry modifications that can alter system configurations, inject malicious code into system processes, or manipulate security settings that govern user access and system behavior. The vulnerability operates under CWE-284 which classifies improper access control issues, specifically targeting the privilege escalation aspect of system security controls. The registry manipulation capability represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege, where standard user accounts can perform operations typically restricted to system administrators or kernel-level processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Once an attacker achieves SYSTEM-level privileges through this vulnerability, they can access all system resources, modify critical system files, install persistent backdoors, and potentially escalate further to gain control over other networked systems. The requirement for authentication to exploit this vulnerability means that the attack vector is more targeted, but not necessarily less dangerous, as it can be exploited by malicious insiders or through credential compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and specifically addresses the use of application flaws to gain elevated system privileges. The attack scenario typically involves an authenticated user leveraging the exposed registry functions to modify system configurations or inject malicious code that executes with SYSTEM privileges, effectively providing complete control over the affected system.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Trend Micro Password Manager version 5.0.0.1218 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the exposed function vulnerability. System administrators should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any unauthorized modifications to system registry entries that might have occurred during exploitation attempts. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual registry access patterns or suspicious system modifications that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized code and maintaining regular system integrity checks to detect unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and regular security updates in preventing privilege escalation attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.