SYSTEM code execution via updater symlink deletion
Published Aug 14, 2023 · Updated Oct 9, 2024
Improper privilege management in ESET security products for Windows allows local users to execute code as SYSTEM through updater file deletion. The ekrn service follows an attacker-created symbolic link when its updater performs privileged file deletion, redirecting the operation to an arbitrary file. Low-privileged code execution and a logged-on session are required; the ESET GUI plants malicious files in specific folders before a module update triggers the operation.
Summary
What happened
Improper privilege management in ESET security products for Windows allows local users to execute code as SYSTEM through updater file deletion. The ekrn service follows an attacker-created symbolic link when its updater performs privileged file deletion, redirecting the operation to an arbitrary file. Low-privileged code execution and a logged-on session are required; the ESET GUI plants malicious files in specific folders before a module update triggers the operation.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-3160
- Published
- Aug 14, 2023
- Updated
- Oct 9, 2024
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-269, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 14, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 9, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
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What is affected?
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Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
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