CVE-2020-15496 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Acronis True Image for Mac before 2021 Update 4 had a vulnerability that allowed local privilege escalation due to insecure folder permissions.

Understanding CVE-2020-15496

This CVE entry describes a security issue in Acronis True Image for Mac that could be exploited for local privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2020-15496?

CVE-2020-15496 is a vulnerability in Acronis True Image for Mac that existed before the 2021 Update 4 release, enabling attackers to escalate their privileges locally.

The Impact of CVE-2020-15496

The vulnerability allowed unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges on the affected system, potentially leading to further compromise or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-15496

Acronis True Image for Mac before 2021 Update 4 was susceptible to a specific security flaw.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stemmed from insecure folder permissions within the application, enabling attackers to exploit this weakness for local privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Acronis True Image for Mac
Versions: Before 2021 Update 4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could leverage the insecure folder permissions in Acronis True Image for Mac to elevate their privileges on the local system.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2020-15496.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Acronis True Image for Mac to version 2021 Update 4 or later.
Review and adjust folder permissions to ensure they are secure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user permissions.
Conduct security audits to identify and remediate potential security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that Acronis True Image for Mac is kept up to date with the latest security patches and updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation.