CVE-2022-4149

Local privilege escalation using log file

Description

The Netskope client service (prior to R96) on Windows runs as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM which writes log files to a writable directory (C:\Users\Public\netSkope) for a standard user. The files are created and written with a SYSTEM account except one file (logplaceholder) which inherits permission giving all users full access control list. Netskope client restricts access to this file by allowing only read permissions as a standard user. Whenever the Netskope client service restarts, it deletes the logplaceholder and recreates, creating a race condition, which can be exploited by a malicious local user to create the file and set ACL permissions on the file. Once the file is created by a malicious user with proper ACL permissions, all files within C:\Users\Public\netSkope\ becomes modifiable by the unprivileged user. By using Windows pseudo-symlink, these files can be pointed to other places in the system and thus malicious users will be able to elevate privileges.

Remediation

Solution:

  • Netskope has patched the vulnerability and released a binary with a fix. Customers are recommended to upgrade their Netskope clients to v100 or later. Netskope download Instructions – Download Netskope Client and Scripts – Netskope Support https://support.netskope.com/s/article/Download-Netskope-Client-and-Scripts

Workaround:

  • Netskope recommends using hardening guidelines listed here - – https://docs.netskope.com/en/netskope-client-hardening.html https://docs.netskope.com/en/netskope-client-hardening.html  

Category

7.0
CVSS
Severity: High
CVSS 3.1 •
EPSS 0.03%
Vendor Advisory netskope.com
Affected: Netskope Netskope Client
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2022-4149?
CVE-2022-4149 has been scored as a high severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2022-4149?
To fix CVE-2022-4149: Netskope has patched the vulnerability and released a binary with a fix. Customers are recommended to upgrade their Netskope clients to v100 or later. Netskope download Instructions – Download Netskope Client and Scripts – Netskope Support https://support.netskope.com/s/article/Download-Netskope-Client-and-Scripts
Is CVE-2022-4149 being actively exploited in the wild?
As for now, there are no information to confirm that CVE-2022-4149 is being actively exploited. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~0% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2022-4149?
CVE-2022-4149 affects Netskope Netskope Client.
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