CVE-2023-6253 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-6253 relates to a vulnerability with a saved encryption key in the Uninstaller in Digital Guardian's Agent before version 7.9.4. This vulnerability could allow a local attacker to retrieve the uninstall key and remove the software by extracting the uninstaller key from the memory of the uninstaller file.

Understanding CVE-2023-6253

This section will delve into the specifics of CVE-2023-6253, including its impact, technical details, affected systems and versions, as well as mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-6253?

The CVE-2023-6253 vulnerability involves a saved encryption key in the Uninstaller of Digital Guardian's Agent before version 7.9.4. This flaw enables a local attacker to extract the uninstall key from the memory of the uninstaller file, allowing for unauthorized software removal.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6253

The impact of CVE-2023-6253 is categorized under CAPEC-37, which stands for "Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data." This vulnerability could lead to the compromise of sensitive information stored within the software due to the insecure storage of data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6253

In this section, we will examine the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism of CVE-2023-6253.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the Uninstaller component of Digital Guardian's Agent, specifically before version 7.9.4. It allows a local attacker to recover the uninstall key from the uninstaller file's memory, leading to unauthorized software removal.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the "Digital Guardian Agent" by the vendor Fortra. Versions prior to 7.9.4 are vulnerable to the exploit, with the potential for unauthorized access and removal by malicious actors.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability involves extracting the uninstall key from the memory of the uninstaller file, granting unauthorized access to remove the software without proper authentication.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2023-6253 vulnerability, immediate steps should be taken, along with implementing long-term security practices and applying available patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update their Digital Guardian Agent to version 7.9.4 or above to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, users are advised to monitor and restrict access to sensitive data to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, regular security audits, and employee awareness training can enhance overall security posture and mitigate the risk of similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Fortra provides an updated Agent version 7.9.4, which includes fixes for the CVE-2023-6253 vulnerability. Users are encouraged to download and apply the necessary patches from the vendor's official support page to secure their systems against potential threats.