CVE-2022-1823 in Consumer Product Removal Tool
Summary
by MITRE • 06/20/2022
Improper privilege management vulnerability in McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool prior to version 10.4.128 could allow a local user to modify a configuration file and perform a LOLBin (Living off the land) attack. This could result in the user gaining elevated permissions and being able to execute arbitrary code, through not correctly checking the integrity of the configuration file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2022
The CVE-2022-1823 vulnerability represents a critical privilege management flaw within McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool versions prior to 10.4.128. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify the integrity of configuration files used by the removal tool. The flaw exists at the core of how the application handles file permissions and access controls during its operational lifecycle, creating a pathway for local attackers to manipulate system security parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper access control checks within the configuration file handling mechanism. When the McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool processes its configuration files, it does not adequately validate file integrity or verify that the configuration has not been tampered with by unauthorized parties. This weakness allows a local attacker to modify the configuration file in a manner that enables privilege escalation. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-276 which addresses improper file permissions and inadequate access control mechanisms. The tool's failure to implement proper file integrity checks creates an environment where malicious actors can exploit the system's trust model.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to system security as it allows local users to perform Living Off The Land (LOLBin) attacks through legitimate system tools. The attacker can leverage the compromised configuration file to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing normal security controls. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers execution through command and scripting interpreters. The vulnerability essentially transforms a legitimate system utility into an attack vector, making detection more challenging while providing the attacker with persistent elevated access to the compromised system.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it creates a persistent backdoor mechanism within the system. Once exploited, the attacker can maintain elevated privileges and continue executing malicious code without requiring additional exploitation steps. The configuration file manipulation allows for the creation of persistent execution mechanisms that can survive system restarts. This vulnerability also demonstrates poor defense-in-depth practices, as the system fails to implement multiple layers of protection around critical configuration files. Organizations using affected versions of McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool face potential compromise of their entire endpoint security infrastructure, as the vulnerability can be exploited to bypass security controls designed to protect against malicious software execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1823 primarily involve upgrading to McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool version 10.4.128 or later, which includes proper configuration file integrity validation. Additionally, system administrators should implement file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to critical configuration files. The implementation of least privilege principles should be enforced, limiting local user access to system configuration files. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized binaries. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious activities related to configuration file modifications. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper access control implementation and file integrity verification in security-critical applications, aligning with security frameworks that emphasize the need for robust privilege management and integrity validation mechanisms.