CVE-2023-41099 in Eviden CardOS API
Summary
by MITRE • 03/22/2024
In the Windows installer in Atos Eviden CardOS API before 5.5.5.2811, Local Privilege Escalation can occur.(from a regular user to SYSTEM).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-41099 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within the Windows installer component of Atos Eviden CardOS API versions prior to 5.5.5.2811. This vulnerability allows a regular user account to escalate their privileges to the SYSTEM level, which constitutes a severe security risk in enterprise environments where user access controls are paramount. The flaw specifically resides in the installer functionality that handles the installation process of the CardOS API components, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to gain elevated system privileges without requiring administrative credentials or prior access to system-level accounts.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the installer's execution environment. When the installer runs, it fails to properly validate or restrict the privileges of the executing user context, allowing a standard user to manipulate installation parameters or file permissions in ways that ultimately result in SYSTEM-level access. This typically occurs through insecure temporary file handling, improper privilege elevation checks, or flawed permission inheritance during the installation process. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and specifically manifests as an improper privilege management issue that enables unauthorized privilege escalation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant threat vector for adversaries seeking to establish persistent access within compromised systems. Once a regular user successfully exploits this vulnerability, they gain complete control over the affected system, including the ability to install malicious software, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially move laterally within network environments. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise as the elevated privileges enable attackers to bypass standard security controls and access protected system resources. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where the CardOS API is deployed, as it may be used to compromise multiple systems simultaneously if the vulnerability exists across a network of installations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. Attackers typically leverage such vulnerabilities by first gaining access to a low-privilege user account, often through social engineering, credential theft, or other initial compromise methods, and then execute the privilege escalation payload to obtain SYSTEM-level access. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain where initial access may be obtained through other means, but the privilege escalation capability significantly amplifies the potential impact of such compromises. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1548.002, which addresses privilege escalation through abuse of system-level accounts, as the escalation to SYSTEM level effectively provides access to the most privileged account on the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-41099 primarily focus on immediate patching of the Atos Eviden CardOS API to version 5.5.5.2811 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the privilege escalation vulnerability. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of the software and prioritize patching efforts accordingly. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict access controls for system installation processes, monitoring for unauthorized installation activities, and ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to systems where the vulnerable software is installed. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while endpoint detection and response solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious installation activities or privilege escalation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized installation packages and maintain regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other installed software components.