CVE-2021-34692 in RemotePC
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2021
iDrive RemotePC before 7.6.48 on Windows allows privilege escalation. A local and low-privileged user can force RemotePC to execute an attacker-controlled executable with SYSTEM privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-34692 affects iDrive RemotePC versions prior to 7.6.48 on Windows operating systems, presenting a critical privilege escalation flaw that enables local users to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. This vulnerability specifically targets the service execution mechanism within the RemotePC application, creating a pathway for attackers to elevate their access level from standard user to system-level privileges. The flaw exists due to insufficient privilege validation during the execution of certain system components, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior through carefully crafted inputs or file replacements.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the RemotePC service implementation, which fails to validate the privileges of executing processes or verify the authenticity of files being loaded. This weakness creates an environment where a low-privileged user can leverage the application's legitimate execution paths to force the system to run attacker-controlled executables with elevated privileges. The vulnerability manifests when the RemotePC service processes user-initiated commands or file operations without adequate verification of the calling process's privilege level or the integrity of the target executable. This flaw aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and represents a classic example of privilege escalation through service manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to bypass standard Windows security controls and gain complete system control. Once exploited, the attacker can install persistent backdoors, modify system files, access all user data, and potentially establish a foothold for further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations where RemotePC is deployed, particularly in environments where users may not have strict access controls or where the application is configured to run with elevated privileges. The ease of exploitation means that even unskilled attackers can leverage this vulnerability to achieve system compromise, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users may have access to the affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-34692 should prioritize immediate patching of the RemotePC application to version 7.6.48 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running RemotePC and restrict user privileges where possible. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by configuring RemotePC services to run with minimal required permissions rather than SYSTEM privileges. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious process execution patterns and unauthorized file modifications. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potential privilege escalation vulnerabilities within the organization's software ecosystem. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper privilege management in system services and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries and maintain comprehensive audit logs to detect exploitation attempts.