CVE-2017-16945 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability has been identified in Arq versions 5.10 and earlier for Mac, allowing local users to gain root privileges by tampering with the restore path.

Understanding CVE-2017-16945

What is CVE-2017-16945?

The standardrestorer binary in Arq 5.10 and earlier for Mac enables local users to write to arbitrary files, leading to unauthorized write access and root privilege escalation.

The Impact of CVE-2017-16945

This vulnerability allows unauthorized users to gain root privileges on affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control over sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-16945

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the standardrestorer binary of Arq versions 5.10 and earlier for Mac permits local users to manipulate the restore path, resulting in unauthorized write access to arbitrary files.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Arq
Versions affected: 5.10 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by local users who tamper with the restore path, allowing them to escalate their privileges to root level.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Arq to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Restrict access to vulnerable systems to trusted users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit file system activities for any unauthorized changes.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access rights.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Arq to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.