CVE-2019-15511 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2019-15511, a local privilege escalation vulnerability in GalaxyClientService by GOG Galaxy. Find out how to mitigate the risk and prevent unauthorized access.
The GalaxyClientService application, installed by GOG Galaxy, has a security flaw that allows attackers to escalate local privileges by sending unauthenticated local TCP packets.
Understanding CVE-2019-15511
What is CVE-2019-15511?
An exploitable local privilege escalation vulnerability in GalaxyClientService allows attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges on Windows systems with GOG Galaxy software.
The Impact of CVE-2019-15511
This vulnerability affects all versions of GOG Galaxy before 1.2.60 and all corresponding versions of GOG Galaxy 2.0 Beta.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-15511
Vulnerability Description
Improper access control in GalaxyClientService enables unauthorized individuals to send unauthenticated local TCP packets, leading to privilege escalation.
Affected Systems and Versions
- All versions of GOG Galaxy prior to 1.2.60
- All corresponding versions of GOG Galaxy 2.0 Beta
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers exploit the vulnerability by sending unauthenticated local TCP packets to the service, granting them SYSTEM privileges.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update GOG Galaxy to version 1.2.60 or later
- Monitor for any unauthorized access or unusual activities
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and operating systems
- Implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches and security updates promptly to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.