CVE-2023-32178 in Antivirus Plus
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
VIPRE Antivirus Plus TelFileTransfer Link Following 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 TelFileTransfer method. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the method to delete arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. . Was ZDI-CAN-19396.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2024
The CVE-2023-32178 vulnerability represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within VIPRE Antivirus Plus software that demonstrates the dangers of improper file handling in security applications. This vulnerability specifically targets the TelFileTransfer method within the antivirus software's architecture, creating a dangerous attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors who have already gained low-privileged access to a target system. The flaw stems from inadequate validation of file operations within the antivirus framework, allowing attackers to manipulate the system's file structure through symbolic link manipulation. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-22, which addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access controls. The attack vector requires an initial foothold through a low-privileged code execution scenario, making it particularly concerning as it represents a second-stage exploitation opportunity that can be leveraged after initial compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the attacker's ability to create symbolic links that can be manipulated by the vulnerable TelFileTransfer method. When the antivirus software processes these symbolic links, it fails to properly validate the target paths, allowing an attacker to redirect file operations to arbitrary locations within the filesystem. This flaw enables attackers to delete critical system files or overwrite binaries with malicious payloads, effectively creating a path to system-level compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation chain demonstrates a classic privilege escalation pattern where the initial access point is typically a low-privileged user account or service that can be leveraged to gain SYSTEM-level privileges. The method's failure to properly sanitize or validate file operations creates a direct pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges, making it a severe concern for enterprise environments where antivirus software typically runs with elevated permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-32178 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a fundamental flaw in how the antivirus software handles file operations and user input. Organizations running affected versions of VIPRE Antivirus Plus face significant risk of complete system compromise, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal prerequisites, as attackers only need to execute low-privileged code to begin the escalation process, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privilege separation is not strictly enforced. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068, which covers local privilege escalation, and T1566, which addresses initial access through social engineering or exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The attack's success rate is high when the target system is running vulnerable software, and the lack of proper input validation in the antivirus software creates an inherent weakness that can be systematically exploited.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations that include updating to patched versions of VIPRE Antivirus Plus, implementing strict file system permissions, and monitoring for unauthorized symbolic link creation. The vulnerability's nature suggests that organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, enhanced monitoring of antivirus software processes, and regular security assessments of endpoint protection solutions. System administrators should review the software's configuration to ensure that unnecessary file operations are disabled or properly restricted. The vulnerability's identification as ZDI-CAN-19396 highlights the importance of coordinated vulnerability disclosure and patch management processes, as timely updates are crucial for preventing exploitation. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual file deletion patterns or symbolic link manipulation that could indicate exploitation attempts, as these activities often precede more significant compromise events. The flaw serves as a reminder that security applications themselves can contain vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to gain elevated privileges, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of all security tools.