CVE-2021-32949 in AutoSave
Summary
by MITRE • 04/02/2022
An attacker could utilize a function in MDT AutoSave versions prior to v6.02.06 that permits changing a designated path to another path and traversing the directory, allowing the replacement of an existing file with a malicious file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-32949 affects MDT AutoSave software versions prior to v6.02.06, presenting a critical directory traversal flaw that enables unauthorized file replacement operations. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within a specific function designed to handle path modifications, creating a dangerous condition where user-supplied paths can be manipulated to access arbitrary locations within the file system. The flaw operates by allowing attackers to exploit a path change function that does not properly sanitize or validate the target directory paths, thereby enabling path traversal attacks that can bypass normal file system access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a function that accepts user input for path modification without proper boundary checks or canonicalization procedures. When an attacker provides a crafted path string containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, the function processes these inputs without adequate validation, allowing the system to interpret the modified path as a legitimate target for file operations. This creates a scenario where malicious actors can replace existing legitimate files with their own malicious content, potentially leading to privilege escalation, code execution, or data corruption. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-22 which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using MDT AutoSave systems, particularly those in environments where file integrity and access controls are critical. Attackers could exploit this flaw to replace system-critical files with malicious equivalents, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or establishing persistent backdoors within the system. The impact extends beyond simple file replacement, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate the software's behavior or compromise the integrity of automated deployment processes that rely on MDT AutoSave functionality. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which involves executing malicious code through legitimate system processes, and T1566 which encompasses social engineering attacks that leverage software vulnerabilities to gain system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-32949 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 6.02.06 or later, which includes proper input validation and path sanitization measures. Organizations should implement additional protective measures such as restricting file system permissions for AutoSave processes, implementing input validation at multiple layers, and conducting regular security assessments of automated deployment tools. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual file modification patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of proper secure coding practices including input validation, output encoding, and the principle of least privilege when designing file system operations. Organizations should review their deployment automation processes and ensure that all path handling functions include comprehensive validation to prevent similar directory traversal scenarios from occurring in other software components.