CVE-2020-25533 : Security Advisory and Response

An issue was discovered in Malwarebytes before 4.0 on macOS where a malicious application could perform a privileged action within the Malwarebytes launch daemon by exploiting a vulnerability in XPC connections validation.

Understanding CVE-2020-25533

What is CVE-2020-25533?

This CVE describes a vulnerability in Malwarebytes on macOS that allowed a malicious application to execute privileged actions within the Malwarebytes launch daemon due to improper validation of XPC connections.

The Impact of CVE-2020-25533

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to run two different programs at different times using the same PID, leveraging a race condition during crafted use of posix_spawn.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-25533

Vulnerability Description

The issue in Malwarebytes before version 4.0 on macOS allowed a malicious application to exploit a flaw in XPC connections validation, leading to unauthorized privileged actions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Malwarebytes
Vendor: Malwarebytes
Versions affected: All versions before 4.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could construct a scenario where the same PID is used for running two different programs at different times by exploiting a race condition during crafted use of posix_spawn.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Malwarebytes to version 4.0 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual privileged actions within the Malwarebytes launch daemon.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches promptly to protect against potential threats.