CVE-2022-28067 in Classic
Summary
by MITRE • 05/04/2022
An incorrect access control issue in Sandboxie Classic v5.55.13 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) in the Sandbox via a crafted executable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28067 represents a critical access control flaw within Sandboxie Classic version 5.55.13 that fundamentally undermines the security boundaries intended by the sandboxing mechanism. This issue manifests as an insufficient authorization check that permits malicious actors to exploit the sandbox environment in ways that were never intended, creating a dangerous pathway for system compromise. The vulnerability specifically affects the sandbox's ability to properly validate executable content, allowing attackers to craft specially designed binaries that can manipulate the sandbox's operational parameters.
The technical implementation of this flaw resides in the sandbox's validation logic where it fails to adequately verify the authenticity and integrity of executable files before granting them execution privileges within the isolated environment. This weakness creates a scenario where an attacker can bypass the normal sandboxing protocols that are designed to prevent unauthorized access to system resources and processes. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where the sandboxing software fails to implement proper input sanitization and access control enforcement mechanisms. According to CWE classification, this maps to CWE-284 which describes improper access control vulnerabilities, specifically those where insufficient authorization checks allow unauthorized access to protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the sandboxing solution. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can cause the sandbox to crash or become unresponsive, effectively rendering the security protection ineffective. This DoS condition can be triggered by simply executing a crafted executable file within the sandbox environment, making it particularly dangerous for users who rely on sandboxing for malware analysis or system isolation. The attack surface is further expanded because the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges, making it accessible to any user with the ability to execute code within the sandboxed environment.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which describes denial of service attacks, and more specifically targets the sandboxing environment as a critical system component. This attack vector represents a sophisticated approach to compromising sandbox security where the attacker targets the very mechanism designed to protect against malware execution. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to subvert the sandbox's intended isolation properties, potentially enabling further exploitation attempts or creating a persistent threat within the system. Organizations that depend on Sandboxie Classic for security isolation and malware analysis are particularly vulnerable, as this flaw undermines their core security posture.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through official patches provided by the software vendor, as well as implementing additional protective measures such as network segmentation and process monitoring. System administrators should consider implementing behavioral analysis tools to detect anomalous sandbox behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security software versions and implementing layered defense strategies that do not rely solely on sandboxing mechanisms. Organizations should also consider alternative sandboxing solutions that have demonstrated stronger access control implementations and more robust security validation processes. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other security tools and systems that might be subject to similar access control flaws.