CVE-2021-44049 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

CyberArk Endpoint Privilege Manager (EPM) through 11.5.3.328 before 2021-12-20 allows a local user to gain elevated privileges via a Trojan horse Procmon64.exe in the user's Temp directory.

Understanding CVE-2021-44049

What is CVE-2021-44049?

CVE-2021-44049 is a vulnerability in CyberArk Endpoint Privilege Manager (EPM) that enables a local user to escalate privileges by using a malicious Procmon64.exe file in the user's Temp directory.

The Impact of CVE-2021-44049

This vulnerability could be exploited by a threat actor with local access to the system to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or further system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-44049

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in CyberArk Endpoint Privilege Manager (EPM) versions up to 11.5.3.328, allowing a local user to escalate privileges via a specially crafted Procmon64.exe file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: CyberArk Endpoint Privilege Manager (EPM)
Versions: Up to 11.5.3.328

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploit involves placing a malicious Procmon64.exe file in the Temp directory of the user, allowing the local user to execute it and gain elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Remove any suspicious or unauthorized Procmon64.exe files from the Temp directory.
Restrict access permissions to critical system directories to prevent unauthorized file execution.
Monitor system logs for any unusual file activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user capabilities.
Conduct regular security training for users to increase awareness of phishing and social engineering tactics.

Patching and Updates

Update CyberArk Endpoint Privilege Manager (EPM) to version 11.5.3.328 or above to patch the vulnerability and protect against exploitation.