Overview
The CVE-2025-20298 vulnerability is a severe security flaw discovered in Universal Forwarder for Windows versions below 9.4.2, 9.3.4, 9.2.6, and 9.1.9. This vulnerability is critical because it allows non-administrator users on a machine to access the directory and all its contents. The incorrect permissions assignment in the Universal Forwarder for Windows installation directory could potentially be exploited, leading to system compromise or data leakage.
This vulnerability is particularly concerning because of the widespread use of Universal Forwarder for Windows in many organizations. Its severity and the potential for widespread damage make it a priority for immediate attention and remediation.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-20298
Severity: High (8.0 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Impact: System compromise or data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
Universal Forwarder for Windows | Below 9.4.2
Universal Forwarder for Windows | Below 9.3.4
Universal Forwarder for Windows | Below 9.2.6
Universal Forwarder for Windows | Below 9.1.9
How the Exploit Works
The exploit works by taking advantage of the incorrect permissions assigned in the Universal Forwarder for Windows installation directory. During installation or an upgrade to an affected version, incorrect permissions are set, allowing non-administrator users to access the directory and its contents. This could potentially allow a malicious user to alter, delete, or extract sensitive information from the directory.
Conceptual Example Code
In this conceptual example, a non-admin user uses a simple shell command to access and read sensitive files in the directory:
$ cd C:\Program Files\SplunkUniversalForwarder
$ dir
$ type sensitive_file.txtIn this example, the user navigates to the Universal Forwarder directory (`cd C:\Program Files\SplunkUniversalForwarder`), lists the directory contents (`dir`), and the `type` command is used to read the contents of a sensitive file.
Mitigation
The recommended mitigation for this vulnerability is to apply the vendor patch. If the patch cannot be applied immediately, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can act as temporary mitigation. However, these should not be relied upon as a long-term solution. Regularly updating and patching software is a crucial part of maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture.