CVE-2025-0416 in DNA
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2025
Local privilege escalation through insecure DCOM configuration in Valmet DNA versions prior to C2023. The DCOM object Valmet DNA Engineering has permissions that allow it to run commands as a user with the SeImpersonatePrivilege privilege. The SeImpersonatePrivilege privilege is a Windows permission that allows a process to impersonate another user. An attacker can use this vulnerability to escalate their privileges and take complete control of the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-0416 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within Valmet DNA software versions prior to C2023, specifically exploiting insecure DCOM (Distributed Component Object Model) configurations. This issue resides in the Valmet DNA Engineering DCOM object which has been configured with overly permissive security settings that permit arbitrary command execution with elevated privileges. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the DCOM infrastructure, creating a pathway for malicious actors to leverage existing system permissions for unauthorized privilege escalation. The affected Valmet DNA installations contain a DCOM component that was not properly secured against unauthorized access, allowing local attackers to manipulate the object's execution context and gain elevated system privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the Windows SeImpersonatePrivilege privilege, which is a fundamental security mechanism that allows processes to assume the security context of other users. When the vulnerable DCOM object is accessed, it operates with sufficient privileges to impersonate other users within the system, enabling attackers to execute commands with higher privilege levels than initially granted. This privilege escalation occurs through a process where the attacker can manipulate the DCOM object's execution flow to leverage the SeImpersonatePrivilege, which is typically associated with system-level services and administrative processes. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to gain the ability to execute code with the privileges of the target user, potentially escalating from a standard user account to SYSTEM level access.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-0416 is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations utilizing affected Valmet DNA systems, particularly in industrial control environments where system integrity and security are paramount. Local attackers who can access the vulnerable system gain the ability to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and disruption of critical industrial processes. The vulnerability's local nature means that an attacker must already have access to the system, but once exploited, the privilege escalation can result in unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, modification of critical industrial control parameters, and potential disruption of manufacturing operations. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of industrial control systems, making it particularly dangerous in environments where operational technology and information technology converge.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Valmet DNA C2023 or later versions that contain proper DCOM security configurations and privilege restrictions. System administrators should review and tighten DCOM object permissions, ensuring that only authorized processes can access the Valmet DNA Engineering component. The implementation of least privilege principles should be enforced, restricting the SeImpersonatePrivilege assignments to only necessary system services and processes. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit local access to affected systems, while regular security audits should verify that DCOM configurations maintain appropriate security boundaries. Additionally, monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous DCOM object access patterns and privilege escalation attempts, providing early warning capabilities for potential exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and maps to ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through DCOM and token manipulation, highlighting the need for comprehensive security hardening across industrial control environments.