CVE-2023-32176 in Antivirus Plus
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
VIPRE Antivirus Plus SetPrivateConfig Directory Traversal Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of VIPRE Antivirus Plus. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the SetPrivateConfig method. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied path prior to using it in file operations. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. . Was ZDI-CAN-19394.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-32176 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within VIPRE Antivirus Plus software that enables local privilege escalation. This weakness exists in the SetPrivateConfig method where the application fails to properly validate user-supplied paths before performing file operations. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category for Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness that allows attackers to manipulate file paths and access restricted system resources. The issue is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by attackers who have already gained low-privileged code execution capabilities on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the antivirus software's configuration management system. When the SetPrivateConfig method processes user-provided path parameters, it does not sufficiently sanitize or validate these inputs against malicious path sequences such as directory traversal attempts. This allows an attacker to craft specially formatted paths that bypass normal file access controls and potentially write to system-critical locations. The vulnerability specifically affects the privilege escalation chain within the antivirus software, where a local attacker can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM-level privileges, effectively compromising the entire system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant security risk for organizations using affected versions of VIPRE Antivirus Plus. The attack vector requires only local code execution privileges, which means that even if an attacker initially gains access through social engineering or other means, they can quickly escalate their access level to system administrator privileges. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors as it provides a straightforward path to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for Local Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to gain elevated system access.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-32176 should include immediate patch application from the vendor, as this vulnerability has been assigned the ZDI-CAN-19394 identifier indicating it has been recognized by the Zero Day Initiative. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local execution capabilities, while monitoring for suspicious file operations and privilege escalation attempts. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary antivirus features that might expose similar vulnerabilities, implementing application whitelisting policies, and conducting regular security assessments of endpoint protection software. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in security-critical applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of system management functions that handle user-supplied data.