CVE-2018-10722 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

CVE-2018-10722 was published on May 4, 2018, and affects CylancePROTECT before version 1470. This vulnerability allows an unprivileged local user to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level by exploiting certain folder permissions and the CyUpdate process.

Understanding CVE-2018-10722

Before diving into the technical details, it's essential to understand the nature and impact of CVE-2018-10722.

What is CVE-2018-10722?

CVE-2018-10722 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in CylancePROTECT that enables a local user to gain SYSTEM privileges through specific folder permissions and file manipulation.

The Impact of CVE-2018-10722

The vulnerability in CylancePROTECT can be exploited by a user with local access to elevate their privileges to SYSTEM level, potentially leading to unauthorized system control and access.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-10722

Let's delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2018-10722 to understand how this vulnerability operates.

Vulnerability Description

In CylancePROTECT before version 1470, users are granted Modify access to the %PROGRAMFILES%\Cylance\Desktop\log folder. The CyUpdate process also provides Modify access to any new files created in this directory. By creating a new file that acts as a symlink chain to an arbitrary DLL used by CyUpdate, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: CylancePROTECT
Vendor: N/A
Versions Affected: Before version 1470

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2018-10722 involves the following steps:

User gains Modify access to the log folder.
CyUpdate process grants Modify access to new files in the folder.
Attacker creates a new file that acts as a symlink chain to a malicious DLL.
By manipulating the DLL, the attacker can escalate privileges to SYSTEM level.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2018-10722, it is crucial to implement immediate and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade CylancePROTECT to version 1470 or above.
Restrict access permissions to critical system folders.
Monitor file creation and modification activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
Educate users on safe computing practices and social engineering threats.
Implement least privilege access controls to limit user permissions.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates from Cylance.
Apply patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.