CVE-2018-19666 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

OSSEC version 3.1.0 and earlier on Windows allows local users to gain NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM privileges through Directory Traversal.

Understanding CVE-2018-19666

Local users exploiting complete access to the OSSEC server can escalate privileges to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM in OSSEC version 3.1.0 and earlier on Windows.

What is CVE-2018-19666?

The vulnerability in OSSEC allows local users to achieve NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM access by leveraging full access to the associated OSSEC server through Directory Traversal.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19666

Local users can gain NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM privileges on Windows OSSEC servers.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19666

The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Local users exploit full access to the OSSEC server to escalate privileges to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM through Directory Traversal.

Affected Systems and Versions

OSSEC version 3.1.0 and earlier on Windows

Exploitation Mechanism

Directory Traversal in the OSSEC agent

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems by following these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade OSSEC to a patched version.
Restrict access to the OSSEC server to authorized users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit user access and permissions.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user capabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates promptly to mitigate known vulnerabilities.