CVE-2024-11468 in Horizon Client
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2025
Omnissa Horizon Client for macOS contains a Local privilege escalation (LPE) Vulnerability due to a flaw in the installation process. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow attackers with user privileges to escalate their privileges to root on the system where the Horizon Client for macOS is installed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-11468 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within Omnissa Horizon Client for macOS, a remote desktop client application that enables users to connect to virtual desktops and applications. This issue stems from a fundamental weakness in the software installation process that creates an exploitable condition allowing unprivileged users to gain root-level access to affected systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the privilege separation mechanisms implemented during the installation and runtime operations of the Horizon Client application, creating a pathway for malicious actors to elevate their system privileges without requiring administrative credentials or prior access to the system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper privilege management during the installation and execution phases of the Omnissa Horizon Client software. When the application installs or updates components on macOS systems, it fails to properly enforce privilege boundaries between user-level processes and system-level operations. This flaw allows an attacker with standard user privileges to manipulate installation files or system components in a way that bypasses normal access controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the legitimate installation framework of the software, making it difficult to detect through traditional security monitoring approaches. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor mechanism that allows privilege elevation through manipulation of the installation process rather than through direct exploitation of system vulnerabilities or application bugs.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations that deploy Omnissa Horizon Client for macOS across their enterprise environments. Attackers who gain initial access to a system through any means can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and gain complete system control, effectively neutralizing any user-level access restrictions. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise as attackers with root access can manipulate system configurations, install persistent backdoors, access sensitive data, and potentially move laterally within network environments. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of macOS systems where user privileges are strictly enforced, allowing a single compromised user account to become a gateway to full system compromise. The attack surface is particularly broad since the vulnerability exists in a widely deployed remote desktop client that organizations use for legitimate business purposes, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking persistent access to enterprise networks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including restricting user privileges during installation processes, applying the latest security patches from Omnissa, and conducting comprehensive system audits to identify any exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques where adversaries seek to gain higher-level permissions. Security teams should monitor for unusual installation or update activities, implement strict access controls for system modification, and consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their remote desktop deployment policies and consider alternative secure access solutions while ensuring that all systems are updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.