CVE-2024-42441 in Workplace Desktop App
Summary
by MITRE • 08/14/2024
Improper privilege management in the installer for Zoom Workplace Desktop App for macOS, Zoom Meeting SDK for macOS and Zoom Rooms Client for macOS before 6.1.5 may allow a privileged user to conduct an escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42441 represents a critical privilege management flaw within the macOS installer components of Zoom's suite of applications including the Workplace Desktop App, Meeting SDK, and Rooms Client. This issue affects versions prior to 6.1.5 and stems from inadequate handling of privilege levels during the installation process, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to escalate their access rights on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a local attacker with existing user privileges attempts to exploit the installer's improper privilege management mechanisms, potentially allowing them to gain elevated system access.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the installer's failure to properly validate and enforce privilege boundaries during the installation process. When the Zoom installer executes on macOS systems, it does not adequately verify the privilege level of the executing user or properly isolate privileged operations from unprivileged contexts. This misconfiguration creates a scenario where a local user can manipulate the installation process to execute code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing the normal access controls that should prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and CWE-782, which relates to exposed service that should be protected by authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows a local attacker to potentially gain root access or administrative privileges on macOS systems running vulnerable versions of Zoom applications. This escalation capability could enable attackers to install malicious software, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the compromised environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Zoom applications are widely deployed, as it could provide attackers with a foothold to move laterally within networks or target additional systems. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring remote network access, making it a particularly dangerous local privilege escalation vector.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately prioritize updating all affected Zoom applications to version 6.1.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the privilege management issues. System administrators should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running vulnerable versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The remediation process should include verifying that all Zoom installer components are properly configured to enforce appropriate privilege boundaries and that the installation process properly validates user privileges before executing privileged operations. Additionally, organizations should monitor their systems for any suspicious activity that might indicate exploitation attempts and consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting or privileged access management solutions to reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits, and represents a clear example of how installer-based privilege management flaws can create significant security risks in enterprise environments.