CVE-2023-2417 in Advanced Host Monitor
Summary
by MITRE • 04/29/2023
A vulnerability was found in ks-soft Advanced Host Monitor up to 12.56 and classified as problematic. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file C:\Program Files (x86)\HostMonitor\RMA-Win\rma_active.exe. The manipulation leads to unquoted search path. It is possible to launch the attack on the local host. Upgrading to version 12.60 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. VDB-227714 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2417 resides within the ks-soft Advanced Host Monitor software version 12.56 and earlier, representing a significant security weakness that affects the local host environment. This issue manifests through an unquoted search path vulnerability in the RMA-Winma_active.exe executable file located at C:\Program Files (x86)\HostMonitor\RMA-Winma_active.exe, which creates a dangerous attack surface for local privilege escalation and code injection scenarios. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of executable paths during the software's runtime operations, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system's default search behavior by placing malicious executables in directories that are searched before the intended target. This weakness directly corresponds to CWE-428, which describes the improper handling of unquoted search paths, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers the exploitation of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates that it presents a substantial risk to system integrity and potentially allows for unauthorized privilege elevation.
The technical flaw exploited in this vulnerability occurs when the system searches for executable files in a path that is not properly quoted, enabling an attacker to place a malicious binary in a directory that will be searched before the legitimate executable. When the system attempts to execute the RMA-Winma_active.exe file, it traverses the PATH environment variable and executes the first matching executable it finds, potentially executing a malicious file instead of the intended legitimate program. This behavior represents a fundamental flaw in how the software handles path resolution, creating a condition where the system's security is compromised by the presence of a poorly quoted search path. The unquoted search path vulnerability specifically allows for privilege escalation attacks, where an attacker can execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application, which often includes elevated system privileges due to the nature of host monitoring software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to the compromised system through the execution of malicious code via the vulnerable search path mechanism. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no network connectivity to exploit and can be leveraged by attackers with local access to gain elevated privileges, potentially allowing them to modify system configurations, install backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The local host attack vector means that any user with access to the system can potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it a critical concern for environments where physical or network access is not strictly controlled. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability affects the core monitoring functionality of the software, which typically runs with elevated privileges to perform system monitoring tasks, making successful exploitation particularly damaging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-2417 primarily involve upgrading the affected software to version 12.60 or later, which includes the necessary patches to address the unquoted search path vulnerability. Organizations should also implement immediate administrative controls such as verifying that all executable paths are properly quoted in the system's PATH environment variable and conducting thorough security audits of installed software to identify other potential unquoted search path vulnerabilities. System administrators should consider implementing additional security measures including monitoring for suspicious file creation in system directories, applying the principle of least privilege to reduce the impact of successful exploitation, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The vulnerability's resolution through version 12.60 demonstrates the importance of maintaining current software versions and the critical need for timely security updates to protect against known exploitation techniques. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management solutions to ensure that all vulnerable systems receive updates promptly, as the local nature of this attack means that even brief windows of vulnerability can be exploited by determined attackers.