Cisco Secure Desktop Privilege Escalation Vulnerability iDefense Security Advisory 11.08.06 http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/ Nov 08, 2006 I. BACKGROUND Cisco Secure Desktop allows secure VPN connections from remote PCs and offers functionality to ensure PCs meet administrator approved security policies as well as having features that securely wipe downloaded data after disconnect. More information is available on the vendors site at: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6742/prod_release_notes_list.html II. DESCRIPTION Local exploitation of an insecure permissions vulnerability in Cisco Systems Secure Desktop product could allow privilege escalation attacks to be conducted by local users. When Cisco Secure Desktop Web VPN product is installed on a NTFS formatted drive, permissions are set on all files to grant full control to all users. Certain files run as a system service and can be easily replaced. III. ANALYSIS Exploiting this vulnerability allows unprivileged local users to gain system-level permissions to their local PCs. Exploitation is trivial and no exploit code is required. Binaries for locally running services can be renamed while they are running, making exploitation straight forward. IV. DETECTION iDefense has confirmed this vulnerability exists on Cisco Secure Desktop version 3.1.1.27. Previous versions are suspected to be vulnerable. V. WORKAROUND Correcting the file permissions of the Secure Desktop installation directory would prevent exploitation. VI. VENDOR RESPONSE Cisco has addressed this vulnerability within version 3.1.1.45 of the Cisco Secure Desktop Software. More information can be obtained from Cisco's advisory at: http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/cisco-sa-20061108-csd.shtml VII. CVE INFORMATION A Mitre Corp. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number has not been assigned yet. VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE 10/04/2006 Initial vendor notification 10/06/2006 Initial vendor response 11/08/2006 Coordinated public disclosure IX. CREDIT This vulnerability was reported to iDefense by Titon of Bastard Labs. Get paid for vulnerability research http://labs.idefense.com/methodology/vulnerability/vcp.php Free tools, research and upcoming events http://labs.idefense.com/ X. LEGAL NOTICES Copyright © 2006 iDefense, Inc. Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express written consent of iDefense. If you wish to reprint the whole or any part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please email customerservice@private for permission. Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.3 : Wed Nov 08 2006 - 19:28:37 PST