CVE-2022-38764 in HouseCall
Summary
by MITRE • 09/19/2022
A vulnerability on Trend Micro HouseCall version 1.62.1.1133 and below could allow a local attacker to escalate privlieges due to an overly permissive folder om the product installer.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-38764 affects Trend Micro HouseCall version 1.62.1.1133 and earlier installations, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that exposes systems to local attackers. This weakness stems from inadequate permission controls within the product installer's folder structure, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized users to gain elevated system privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the installer's directory permissions, which should normally restrict access to authorized personnel only but instead permits broader access that can be leveraged for malicious purposes.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and represents a classic case of insufficient access control mechanisms. When the Trend Micro HouseCall installer creates its operational directories, it fails to properly configure access controls, leaving folders with overly permissive settings that enable local users to modify or execute files within these locations. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for privilege escalation attacks where an attacker with standard user privileges can manipulate the installer's environment to execute malicious code with elevated permissions. The flaw demonstrates poor adherence to the principle of least privilege, where system components should operate with minimal necessary permissions rather than broad access rights.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the system that can be leveraged for further exploitation. Local attackers can exploit this condition to install malicious software, modify system configurations, or establish backdoors that persist across system reboots. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the installer's operational environment rather than the running application itself, meaning that even if the application is not actively running, the installer's directory structure remains accessible to local users. This characteristic makes the vulnerability difficult to detect and remediate, as it operates at a lower system level where traditional application security controls may not apply.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation, and T1548.002, which addresses abuse of Windows admin privileges. The flaw represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where Trend Micro HouseCall is deployed, as it allows attackers to potentially compromise multiple systems through a single vulnerable installer. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including verifying and correcting folder permissions on all systems running vulnerable versions, applying the latest patches from Trend Micro, and conducting comprehensive security audits to identify any potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should review and enforce proper access control policies for all installer directories and consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized modifications to critical system components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper permission management in security software installations and highlights the need for regular security assessments of system components that operate with elevated privileges.