CVE-2025-0664 in Endpoint Security Agent
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2025
A locally authenticated, privileged user can craft a malicious OpenSSL configuration file, potentially leading the agent to load an arbitrary local library. This may impair endpoint defenses and allow the attacker to achieve code execution with SYSTEM-level privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw in OpenSSL that leverages configuration file manipulation to achieve system-level code execution. The vulnerability exists when a locally authenticated user with elevated privileges crafts a malicious OpenSSL configuration file that influences how the OpenSSL agent loads shared libraries. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of configuration parameters that control library loading behavior, allowing an attacker to specify arbitrary local libraries that get loaded into the OpenSSL process memory space. This represents a classic case of insecure library loading where the configuration system fails to properly sanitize or validate the paths and libraries specified in configuration files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the OpenSSL agent's handling of configuration directives that specify library paths or module loading parameters. When a privileged user modifies the OpenSSL configuration to include malicious library references, the agent's library loader processes these directives without adequate verification of the specified library locations. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled libraries can be loaded into memory alongside legitimate OpenSSL components, enabling potential code execution through various attack vectors including library injection or function pointer manipulation. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of configuration management and dynamic library loading, creating a pathway for attackers to extend their privileges beyond the initial authenticated session.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability fundamentally undermines endpoint security by providing a mechanism for attackers to bypass security controls that rely on OpenSSL for cryptographic operations. The ability to load arbitrary libraries means that attackers can inject malicious code into the OpenSSL process, potentially compromising the integrity of all cryptographic operations performed by the agent. This capability allows for persistent access, data exfiltration, and further escalation within the compromised system. The impact is particularly severe because the attacker needs only local authentication and privileged access, which is often more easily obtained than remote exploitation vectors, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where local access is not strictly controlled.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing strict configuration file validation and library loading controls. Organizations must ensure that OpenSSL configuration files are properly validated and that only trusted library paths are allowed in configuration directives. The implementation of privilege separation and least-privilege principles should be enforced to limit the impact of configuration file manipulation. Additionally, regular monitoring of configuration file changes and library loading activities should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element and CWE-428 Uncontrolled Library Loading, representing a failure in proper input validation and library loading security controls. The attack pattern follows ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1548 Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how configuration manipulation can be used to achieve elevated privileges and maintain persistence within target systems.