CVE-2022-3859 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A detailed overview of the CVE-2022-3859 vulnerability affecting Trellix Agent for Windows.

Understanding CVE-2022-3859

This section provides information about the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2022-3859?

An uncontrolled search path vulnerability exists in Trellix Agent (TA) for Windows in versions prior to 5.7.8. This vulnerability allows an attacker with admin access to elevate their privileges to System by placing a malicious DLL in the restricted Windows System folder.

The Impact of CVE-2022-3859

The vulnerability, identified as CAPEC-234: Hijacking a privileged process, has a base CVSS score of 6.7 (Medium). It poses a high risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability, requiring high privileges for exploitation without user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-3859

This section elaborates on the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Trellix Agent (TA) for Windows exploits an uncontrolled search path element (CWE-427), enabling attackers to manipulate DLL placement and gain system-level privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Trellix Agent for Windows versions earlier than 5.7.8 are vulnerable to this uncontrolled search path issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2022-3859, an attacker with admin access must insert a malicious DLL into the Windows System folder to escalate their privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Explore immediate steps to secure your system, adopt long-term security practices, and prioritize patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Trellix Agent to version 5.7.8 or higher immediately.
Restrict admin privileges and monitor DLL installations closely.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to limit system access.
Conduct regular security audits and threat assessments to detect similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates regularly to address any security gaps and enhance system protection.