CVE-2018-10204 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

PureVPN 6.0.1 for Windows has a vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation in the "sevpnclient" service when using the OpenVPN protocol.

Understanding CVE-2018-10204

This CVE identifies a privilege escalation vulnerability in PureVPN 6.0.1 for Windows.

What is CVE-2018-10204?

The vulnerability in PureVPN 6.0.1 for Windows allows an attacker to elevate privileges in the "sevpnclient" service by exploiting the OpenVPN protocol configuration.

The Impact of CVE-2018-10204

The vulnerability enables an authenticated attacker to execute code under the SYSTEM account when a new VPN connection attempt is made.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-10204

This section provides technical details of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the "sevpnclient" service executing "openvpn.exe" using a configuration file that grants "Write" permissions to all users in the "Everyone" group.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: PureVPN 6.0.1
Vendor: N/A
Version: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit the vulnerability by modifying the configuration file to specify a dynamic library plugin that executes code under the SYSTEM account.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your system from CVE-2018-10204 with the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the affected service if not required.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.
Implement the principle of least privilege.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by PureVPN to address the vulnerability.