CVE-2018-12989 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2018-12989 article provides insights into a vulnerability in Pearson VUE Certiport Console 8 and IQSystem 7 that could allow local users to gain elevated privileges by launching Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge with Administrator rights.

Understanding CVE-2018-12989

The vulnerability was made public on July 29, 2018, and affects the report-viewing functionality in the mentioned software versions.

What is CVE-2018-12989?

The flaw in Pearson VUE Certiport Console 8 and IQSystem 7 prior to June 26, 2018, mishandles child processes, leading to the unintended launch of Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge with Administrator privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2018-12989

This vulnerability enables local users to obtain elevated privileges on the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-12989

The following technical details shed light on the vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the report-viewing feature allows local users to gain privileges by launching Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge with Administrator rights.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability occurs due to the mishandling of child processes, leading to the unintended launch of browsers with elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-12989, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Pearson VUE Certiport Console 8 and IQSystem 7 to versions released after June 26, 2018.
Avoid running the software with Administrator privileges.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access rights.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Pearson VUE for the affected software.