CVE-2023-28143 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-28143 article provides insights into a vulnerability affecting Qualys Cloud Agent for macOS versions 2.5.1-75 before 3.7, leading to a local privilege escalation.

Understanding CVE-2023-28143

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-28143 and the implications it has for users of Qualys Cloud Agent for macOS.

What is CVE-2023-28143?

The CVE-2023-28143 vulnerability in Qualys Cloud Agent for macOS versions 2.5.1-75 before 3.7 permits local attackers to escalate their privileges during the installation process. By exploiting incorrect file permissions, attackers can gain root command execution privileges on the host, specifically on older macOSX (macOS 10.15 and older) versions.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28143

The impact of CVE-2023-28143, classified under CAPEC-30 (Hijacking a Privileged Thread of Execution), can result in a significant threat to affected systems. Attackers can potentially compromise system integrity and confidentiality, with a notable high availability impact.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28143

This section elaborates on the vulnerability's technical aspects, including the description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

During the Qualys Cloud Agent for macOS installation process, a step involves extracting the package and copying files to various directories. Attackers can manipulate incorrect file permissions at this stage, gaining writable access to files and leading to a local privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Qualys Cloud Agent for macOS versions 2.5.1-75 before 3.7, specifically on macOSX versions 10.15 and older.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by taking advantage of incorrect file permissions during the installation of the PKG, allowing them to gain root command execution privileges on the affected system.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, best practices for mitigating the CVE-2023-28143 vulnerability are outlined, including immediate steps and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should upgrade to version 3.7 of the Qualys Cloud Agent for MacOS to address the CVE-2023-28143 vulnerability promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintaining up-to-date software versions, implementing least privilege principles, and restricting access to sensitive files are essential long-term security practices to prevent similar privilege escalation incidents.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches and updates provided by the vendor, in this case, Qualys, is crucial to staying protected against known vulnerabilities and ensuring system security.