CVE-2020-5324 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Dell Client Consumer and Commercial Platforms contain an Arbitrary File Overwrite Vulnerability that could be exploited by a locally authenticated low-privileged malicious user. The vulnerability affects the Dell Firmware Update Utility.

Understanding CVE-2020-5324

This CVE involves an Arbitrary File Overwrite Vulnerability in Dell Client Consumer and Commercial Platforms.

What is CVE-2020-5324?

The vulnerability is specific to the Dell Firmware Update Utility and can be exploited by a malicious user during a specific time window while being executed by an administrator. By tricking the administrator, the attacker could overwrite arbitrary files using a symlink attack.

The Impact of CVE-2020-5324

CVSS Base Score: 7.1 (High Severity)
Attack Vector: Local
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: Low
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High
Scope: Unchanged
The vulnerability does not affect the actual binary payload delivered by the update utility.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-5324

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a locally authenticated low-privileged malicious user to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack during the execution of the Dell Firmware Update Utility by an administrator.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Dell Client Consumer and Commercial Platforms
Vendor: Dell
Affected Version: Dell Support Article

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by tricking an administrator into overwriting arbitrary files using a symlink attack during a specific time window while the Dell Firmware Update Utility is running.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-5324 with the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor and restrict access to the Dell Firmware Update Utility.
Educate administrators about potential symlink attacks.
Implement file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the Dell Firmware Update Utility.
Conduct security training for administrators on best practices to prevent such attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that you apply any patches or updates provided by Dell to address the vulnerability.