Overview
The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving with new threats and vulnerabilities cropping up almost daily. One such vulnerability, CVE-2024-13960, affects users of AVG TuneUp Version 23.4 (build 15592) on Windows 10 operating systems. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM, which can potentially lead to system compromise or data leakage. Given the widespread use of AVG TuneUp, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to many users and organizations.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2024-13960
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
AVG TuneUp | Version 23.4 (build 15592)
How the Exploit Works
This exploit takes advantage of a TOCTTOU (time-of-check to time-of-use) vulnerability in the TuneUp Service of AVG TuneUp. The attacker needs to have local access and user interaction to successfully carry out the attack. They create a symbolic link and leverage the TOCTTOU vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. This allows the attacker to potentially compromise the system or cause data leakage.
Conceptual Example Code
While a specific exploit code is not presented here for ethical reasons, a conceptual example would involve a local user creating a symbolic link and utilizing it to exploit the TOCTTOU vulnerability. The steps might look something like this in pseudo code:
# Create a symbolic link
create_symlink('/path/to/vulnerable/file', '/path/to/controlled/location')
# Exploit the TOCTTOU vulnerability
exploit_TOCTTOU('/path/to/controlled/location')This is a simplified representation, and the actual exploit would likely involve more complex interactions with the system and the software. Nonetheless, this provides a good understanding of the fundamental process behind the exploit.
Understanding such vulnerabilities and how they can be exploited is crucial for maintaining a secure cyber environment. Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include applying the vendor patch or using WAF/IDS as temporary mitigation. Stay vigilant, stay updated, and stay secure.