CVE-2018-20146 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Liquidware ProfileUnity versions prior to 6.8.0 and Liquidware FlexApp versions prior to 6.8.0 contain a security vulnerability that allows a local user to gain administrator privileges using PowerShell.

Understanding CVE-2018-20146

This CVE entry highlights a security flaw in Liquidware ProfileUnity and FlexApp versions before 6.8.0, enabling unauthorized elevation of privileges.

What is CVE-2018-20146?

CVE-2018-20146 is a vulnerability in Liquidware ProfileUnity and FlexApp versions prior to 6.8.0 that permits a local user to escalate their privileges to that of an administrator by leveraging PowerShell.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20146

The vulnerability in Liquidware ProfileUnity and FlexApp versions before 6.8.0 poses a significant security risk as it allows unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20146

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE, outlining the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The security flaw in Liquidware ProfileUnity and FlexApp versions prior to 6.8.0 enables a local user to acquire administrator rights through the use of PowerShell.

Affected Systems and Versions

Liquidware ProfileUnity versions before 6.8.0
Liquidware FlexApp versions before 6.8.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows a user with local access to exploit PowerShell to escalate their privileges to administrator level.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20146 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Liquidware ProfileUnity and FlexApp to version 6.8.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict local access to systems to minimize the risk of privilege escalation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access rights.
Regularly monitor and audit system activities to detect any unauthorized privilege escalations.

Patching and Updates

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