CVE-2021-44029 in KACE Desktop Authority
Summary
by MITRE • 12/22/2021
An issue was discovered in Quest KACE Desktop Authority before 11.2. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute remote code through a deserialization exploitation in the RadAsyncUpload function of ASP.NET AJAX. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability when the encryption keys are known (due to the presence of CVE-2017-11317, CVE-2017-11357, or other means). A default setting for the type whitelisting feature in more current versions of ASP.NET AJAX prevents exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-44029 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Quest KACE Desktop Authority versions prior to 11.2. This weakness stems from improper handling of serialized data within the RadAsyncUpload component of ASP.NET AJAX frameworks. The vulnerability specifically targets the deserialization process where untrusted data is converted back into objects, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The attack vector leverages the inherent risks associated with object deserialization in web applications, particularly when encryption keys are compromised through other vulnerabilities such as CVE-2017-11317 or CVE-2017-11357, which expose sensitive cryptographic materials.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of serialized data within the RadAsyncUpload function, which is part of the ASP.NET AJAX framework's asynchronous file upload capabilities. When the application processes user-supplied serialized data without proper validation or sanitization, attackers can craft malicious payloads that, upon deserialization, trigger unintended code execution. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that attackers can leverage known encryption keys to bypass certain security measures, making the exploitation more straightforward and reliable. This particular flaw demonstrates how legacy components within enterprise security solutions can harbor dangerous vulnerabilities that persist across multiple versions due to inadequate security patching or architectural oversight.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-44029 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive corporate data and system resources within the targeted environment. Organizations using affected versions of Quest KACE Desktop Authority face significant risks including unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, particularly when combined with other known vulnerabilities that expose encryption keys, creating a cascading effect that undermines the security posture of the entire security solution ecosystem. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing insecure deserialization as a critical risk factor in web application security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from security administrators, including the deployment of the latest available patches from Quest Software that address the deserialization flaw in the affected ASP.NET AJAX components. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running the vulnerable software and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous deserialization activities. The remediation process should include thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software across the enterprise infrastructure, particularly focusing on systems where encryption keys may have been compromised through prior vulnerabilities. Security teams must also consider implementing additional protective measures such as runtime application self-protection technologies and enhanced input validation controls that specifically target deserialization attack patterns. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-502 which addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and its exploitation patterns correspond to techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on remote code execution through web application vulnerabilities.