CVE-2023-28046 in Display Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 04/06/2023
Dell Display Manager, versions 2.1.0 and prior, contains an arbitrary file or folder deletion vulnerability during uninstallation A local low privilege attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to the deletion of arbitrary files on the operating system with high privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28046 affects Dell Display Manager software versions 2.1.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in the uninstallation process of this display management utility. This issue manifests as an arbitrary file or folder deletion vulnerability that occurs when the application is removed from a target system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of file paths during the uninstallation routine, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the deletion process. The flaw is particularly concerning because it enables a local attacker with low privilege access to potentially delete files that would normally require elevated permissions to modify or remove, effectively bypassing standard operating system security controls.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes it as an Uncontrolled Resource Manipulation vulnerability where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize resource identifiers during operations. During the uninstallation process, Dell Display Manager appears to execute file deletion commands without adequate input validation, creating a path traversal or injection vector that allows attackers to specify arbitrary file paths for deletion. This weakness is classified as a privilege escalation vulnerability since it enables a low privilege user to perform operations that typically require administrative or system-level permissions. The vulnerability operates at the system level, making it particularly dangerous as it can target critical system files, application binaries, or user data that the uninstaller would normally be authorized to modify.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion, as it represents a significant compromise of system integrity and security posture. A local low privilege attacker could potentially exploit this flaw to remove critical system components, application files, or even user data, leading to system instability, application corruption, or complete system unavailability. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges, making it accessible to casual attackers who might not possess advanced technical skills or elevated access rights. This characteristic transforms what should be a simple uninstallation process into a potential vector for system disruption or further compromise. The vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain where an attacker first gains low privilege access, then uses this flaw to escalate privileges or create persistent access points by removing security tools or system monitoring components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-28046 should prioritize immediate software updates from Dell to address the vulnerability in affected versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all instances of Dell Display Manager are updated to versions that resolve the arbitrary deletion flaw. System administrators should conduct thorough inventory checks to identify all affected systems and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized uninstallers or system modification tools. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file deletion patterns or unauthorized system modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing least privilege principles for user accounts and regularly audit system file integrity to quickly detect unauthorized modifications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1070.004 (Indicator Removal on Host: File Deletion) as attackers could use the vulnerability to delete forensic evidence or system components. Organizations should also review their endpoint detection and response capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts through anomalous uninstallation activities or file deletion events.