CVE-2019-15315 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2019-15315 affecting Valve Steam Client for Windows, enabling privilege escalation to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. Find mitigation steps and affected versions.
Valve Steam Client for Windows has a vulnerability that allows privilege escalation to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. Local users can exploit this by replacing specific files with older versions.
Understanding CVE-2019-15315
From 2019-08-16 and earlier, the Valve Steam Client for Windows is susceptible to privilege escalation to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM through a specific file replacement method.
What is CVE-2019-15315?
CVE-2019-15315 is a vulnerability in the Valve Steam Client for Windows that enables local users to escalate privileges to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM by substituting certain files with older versions.
The Impact of CVE-2019-15315
The vulnerability allows unauthorized local users to gain elevated privileges on the affected Windows system, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-15315
Valve Steam Client for Windows through 2019-08-16 is affected by this privilege escalation vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw arises from the ability of local users to replace current versions of SteamService.exe and SteamService.dll with older versions lacking the CVE-2019-14743 patch.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Operating System: Windows
- Valve Steam Client versions through 2019-08-16
Exploitation Mechanism
Local users can exploit the vulnerability by replacing specific files with older versions, bypassing the CVE-2019-14743 patch.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take:
- Monitor and restrict access to critical system files
- Implement the principle of least privilege for user accounts
- Regularly update and patch the Valve Steam Client
Long-Term Security Practices:
- Conduct regular security training for users on file integrity and system security
- Employ endpoint protection solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized file modifications
- Follow secure coding practices and conduct security assessments regularly
- Stay informed about security updates and vulnerabilities in the Valve Steam Client
- Apply security best practices recommended by Valve and Windows for system hardening and protection