CVE-2023-28596 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE, assigned by Zoom, involves a local privilege escalation vulnerability found in Zoom Client for IT Admin macOS installers. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 5.13.5 and could allow a local low-privileged user to escalate their privileges during the installation process.

Understanding CVE-2023-28596

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE-2023-28596 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-28596?

The CVE-2023-28596 pertains to a local privilege escalation vulnerability discovered in Zoom Client for IT Admin macOS installers. This vulnerability can be exploited by a local low-privileged user to elevate their privileges to root access.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28596

The impact of this CVE is rated as high. If successfully exploited, an attacker could gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access or manipulation of system resources.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28596

In this section, we will explore the technical details of CVE-2023-28596.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Zoom Client for IT Admin macOS installers arises from a local privilege escalation issue. It allows a low-privileged user to exploit the installation process, thereby escalating their privileges to root access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Zoom Client for IT Admin macOS installers versions prior to 5.13.5.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, a local low-privileged user needs to leverage it during the installation process to elevate their privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to understand how to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2023-28596.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update Zoom Client for IT Admin macOS installers to version 5.13.5 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Exercise caution when granting administrative privileges to applications or users.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict access to critical system functions.

Patching and Updates

Zoom has released version 5.13.5 to address the vulnerability. Users are advised to promptly update their Zoom Client for IT Admin macOS installers to this version to eliminate the risk of local privilege escalation.