CVE-2022-24138 : Security Advisory and Response

IOBit Advanced System Care (Asc.exe) 15 and Action Download Center are affected by a vulnerability that allows low privilege users to gain code execution as high privilege users by manipulating components in the ProgramData folder.

Understanding CVE-2022-24138

This CVE describes a security issue in IOBit software that can lead to privilege escalation for attackers.

What is CVE-2022-24138?

The vulnerability in IOBit Advanced System Care and Action Download Center allows low privilege users to replace genuine components with malicious executables, resulting in code execution at high privilege levels.

The Impact of CVE-2022-24138

Exploiting this vulnerability can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, posing a significant security risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-24138

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

By leveraging SetOpLock to intercept CreateProcess, attackers can swap legitimate IOBit components with malicious executables, facilitating code execution at a higher privilege level.

Affected Systems and Versions

IOBit Advanced System Care 15 and Action Download Center are confirmed to be impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Low privilege users exploit weak permissions in the ProgramData folder to perform code substitution, elevating their privileges to high integrity admins.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2022-24138 requires immediate actions and proactive security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update to the latest patched versions of IOBit software to mitigate the vulnerability. Restricting access to the ProgramData folder can also prevent unauthorized modifications.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing the principle of least privilege, regular security audits, and user awareness training can enhance overall security posture and prevent similar privilege escalation attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from IOBit and apply patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities and safeguard systems.