CVE-2019-6566 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

GE Communicator, in any version before 4.0.517, allows a user without administrative rights to replace the uninstaller with a harmful variant, potentially granting an attacker administrator privileges.

Understanding CVE-2019-6566

This CVE involves improper access controls in GE Communicator, enabling unauthorized users to escalate their privileges.

What is CVE-2019-6566?

CVE-2019-6566 is a vulnerability in GE Communicator that could lead to an attacker gaining administrator privileges by manipulating the uninstaller.

The Impact of CVE-2019-6566

The vulnerability allows non-administrative users to substitute the uninstaller with a malicious version, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-6566

GE Communicator's vulnerability lies in its improper access controls, allowing users to exploit the uninstaller replacement flaw.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in GE Communicator versions prior to 4.0.517 permits users without administrative rights to replace the uninstaller with a harmful variant, facilitating potential privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: GE Communicator
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions Affected: All versions before 4.0.517

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the uninstaller, potentially granting them administrator privileges on the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-6566, immediate steps and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GE Communicator to version 4.0.517 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activity related to uninstaller modifications.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access rights.
Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address similar issues.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates provided by GE for GE Communicator to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.