CVE-2018-10959 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

An Untrusted Search Path vulnerability exists in Avecto Defendpoint versions 4 before 4.4 SR6 and 5 before 5.1 SR1, allowing attackers to elevate processes by manipulating environment variables.

Understanding CVE-2018-10959

What is CVE-2018-10959?

The CVE-2018-10959 vulnerability is related to Avecto Defendpoint software, where improper handling of search paths can be exploited to escalate privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2018-10959

This vulnerability enables threat actors to automatically elevate processes initiated by them, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control over affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-10959

Vulnerability Description

The Untrusted Search Path flaw in Avecto Defendpoint versions 4 and 5 allows attackers to exploit environment variables, leading to unauthorized process elevation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Avecto Defendpoint versions 4 before 4.4 SR6
Avecto Defendpoint versions 5 before 5.1 SR1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating environment variables, triggering the automatic elevation of processes launched by the attacker.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Avecto Defendpoint to versions 4.4 SR6 or 5.1 SR1 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict environment variable changes to prevent unauthorized process elevation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement least privilege access to limit the impact of potential privilege escalation attacks.
Regularly review and update security configurations to address emerging threats.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Avecto to address the Untrusted Search Path vulnerability in Defendpoint software.