CVE-2024-7245 in Security Dome
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2024
Panda Security Dome VPN Incorrect Permission Assignment Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Panda Security Dome. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the Hydra Sdk Windows Service. The issue lies in the lack of proper permissions set on a folder created by the service. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-23429.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw in Panda Security Dome VPN software that directly impacts system security integrity. The issue stems from improper permission assignment within the Hydra Sdk Windows Service component, creating a persistent security weakness that attackers can exploit to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability was identified as ZDI-CAN-23429 and demonstrates how service components with inadequate access controls can become entry points for sophisticated attacks. The flaw specifically affects the Windows operating system environment where Panda Security Dome is installed, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where security software is commonly deployed. Attackers must first establish a foothold with low-privileged user access before exploiting this vulnerability, but once successful, they can execute code with SYSTEM-level privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Hydra Sdk Windows Service creating a folder without proper permission controls, allowing unauthorized users to manipulate system resources that should be restricted. This misconfiguration creates a path for privilege escalation where local attackers can leverage the improperly secured folder to gain administrative access. The service's failure to implement appropriate access control lists or permission boundaries means that any user with basic system access can potentially exploit this weakness. The vulnerability essentially provides an unauthorized path to execute code in the highest privilege context available on Windows systems, which aligns with common attack patterns described in the attack chain framework. This type of flaw typically maps to CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permission assignment in software components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to bypass standard security controls that protect against unauthorized system modifications. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability enables full system compromise with minimal initial access requirements, making it particularly dangerous for environments where multiple users have varying levels of system access. Organizations running Panda Security Dome VPN software face significant risk of data theft, system corruption, and persistent backdoor establishment through this vulnerability. The attack surface expands beyond typical security boundaries since the vulnerable service is designed to operate with elevated privileges as part of legitimate security operations. This creates a paradox where security tools become potential attack vectors, which represents a fundamental flaw in the software design approach. The vulnerability's impact extends across different threat actor categories including both insider threats and external attackers who gain initial access through other means.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected Panda Security Dome VPN software to address the permission assignment issue within the Hydra Sdk Windows Service. System administrators must ensure that all security updates are applied promptly, particularly those addressing privilege escalation vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege enforcement can help limit potential exploitation even if the vulnerability is not immediately patched. Monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to system folders created by security services should be implemented as part of defensive measures. Organizations should also consider implementing additional endpoint protection controls that can detect suspicious privilege escalation activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation in security software, particularly when components operate with elevated privileges. Regular security assessments of installed security tools should include verification of permission assignments and access controls to prevent similar issues from occurring in other system components. This type of vulnerability serves as a reminder that security software itself must be rigorously tested for potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors.