CVE-2024-37726 in MSI Center
Summary
by MITRE • 07/03/2024
Insecure Permissions vulnerability in Micro-Star International Co., Ltd MSI Center v.2.0.36.0 allows a local attacker to escalate privileges via the Export System Info function in MSI.CentralServer.exe
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-37726 represents a critical insecure permissions flaw within the MSI Center software version 2.0.36.0 developed by Micro-Star International Co., Ltd. This issue specifically affects the Export System Info function within the MSI.CentralServer.exe component, creating a significant security risk for systems running this software. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms that allow local attackers to exploit the system's permission model and escalate their privileges to higher levels of system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Export System Info functionality within the MSI.CentralServer.exe process which fails to properly validate or restrict file system permissions during the export operation. This flaw enables an attacker with standard user privileges to manipulate the export process in such a way that they can gain elevated system privileges. The underlying issue typically manifests as insufficient input validation, lack of proper privilege checks, or improper handling of file access controls within the software's codebase. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and potentially CWE-732, which covers incorrect permissions for critical resources.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe threat landscape for organizations using MSI Center software. A local attacker who gains initial access to a system can leverage this flaw to elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative or system-level access. This privilege escalation capability allows the attacker to perform actions such as installing malicious software, modifying system configurations, accessing sensitive data, and potentially compromising the entire system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local access to the system, making it difficult to detect and defend against through traditional network-based security measures.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-defined attack pattern that aligns with several MITRE ATT&CK framework techniques. Specifically, it maps to T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation, and T1547, which addresses boot or logon initialization scripts. The attack typically begins with a local user executing the Export System Info function with malicious input or by directly manipulating the software's export process. The vulnerability can be exploited in various scenarios including insider threats, compromised user accounts, or systems where users have legitimate access but could be coerced into executing malicious actions. Organizations using this software face increased risk of persistent threats and advanced persistent threats that could leverage this vulnerability for long-term system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-37726 should prioritize immediate software updates from Micro-Star International Co., Ltd. as the primary defense mechanism. System administrators should implement strict access controls and privilege management policies to limit local user capabilities where possible. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting unnecessary permissions for the MSI.CentralServer.exe process. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar permission-related flaws in other system components. Organizations should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring tools that can detect unusual privilege escalation activities and export operations that deviate from normal system usage patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper software security testing and the need for comprehensive access control validation within system applications.