CVE-2023-43081 in PowerProtect Agent for File System
Summary
by MITRE • 11/22/2023
PowerProtect Agent for File System Version 19.14 and prior, contains an incorrect default permissions vulnerability in ddfscon component. A low Privileged local attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to overwriting of log files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2023
The PowerProtect Agent for File System version 19.14 and prior contains a critical incorrect default permissions vulnerability within its ddfscon component that poses significant security risks to affected systems. This vulnerability stems from improper file permission configurations that allow unauthorized local users to manipulate critical system files. The flaw specifically affects the log file handling mechanisms within the ddfscon component, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can exploit weak access controls to overwrite or modify log data. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be leveraged to hide malicious activities or disrupt system operations through log manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the ddfscon component failing to enforce proper access controls on log files, resulting in overly permissive default permissions that permit local users to write to or modify these critical files. This misconfiguration allows a low privileged attacker to gain unauthorized write access to log file locations, potentially enabling them to overwrite existing logs or inject malicious content into the logging system. The vulnerability represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor security hardening practices in the software's default configuration. According to cwe standards, this maps to cwe-276 which specifically addresses incorrect default permissions, a category that frequently leads to privilege escalation and data integrity compromise scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple log file manipulation and can significantly affect system monitoring and forensic capabilities. When attackers can overwrite log files, they effectively disable crucial audit trails that organizations rely upon for security incident response and compliance reporting. This vulnerability can be exploited to cover tracks of malicious activities, making it harder for security teams to detect and investigate breaches. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to users who normally would not have elevated access rights. This weakness can be leveraged as part of broader attack chains where attackers first establish persistence through log manipulation before progressing to more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of PowerProtect Agent for File System that addresses this vulnerability. System administrators should also review and correct default file permissions on affected systems, ensuring that log files are properly protected with restrictive access controls. The remediation process should include verifying that the ddfscon component no longer allows unauthorized write access to log file locations and that proper ownership and permission settings are enforced. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual log file modification patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with several att&ck tactics including privilege escalation and defense evasion, making it a critical concern for organizations that rely on comprehensive logging and monitoring capabilities for their security operations.