CVE-2020-24556: Trend Micro Apex One Hard Link Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
A vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One, OfficeScan XG SP1, Worry-Free Business Security 10 SP1 and Worry-Free Business Security Services on Microsoft Windows may allow an attacker to create a hard link to any file on the system, which then could be manipulated to gain a privilege escalation and code execution. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. Please note that version 1909 (OS Build 18363.719) of Microsoft Windows 10 mitigates hard links, but previous versions are affected.
Other sources
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Trend Micro Apex One. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the ApexOne Security Agent. By creating a hard link, an attacker can abuse the service to overwrite the contents of a chosen file. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute code in the context of SYSTEM.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2020-24556?
CVE-2020-24556 is a vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One, OfficeScan XG SP1, Worry-Free Business Security 10 SP1, and Worry-Free Business Security Services on Microsoft Windows that allows an attacker to create a hard link to any file on the system, leading to privilege escalation and code execution.
What software versions are affected by CVE-2020-24556?
CVE-2020-24556 affects Trend Micro Apex One 2019, Trend Micro Apex One saas, Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security 10 SP1, and Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Services.
How severe is CVE-2020-24556?
CVE-2020-24556 has a severity rating of 7.8 (high).
How can an attacker exploit CVE-2020-24556?
An attacker can exploit CVE-2020-24556 by creating a hard link to a file on the system and manipulating it to gain privilege escalation and execute malicious code.
Where can I find more information about CVE-2020-24556?
You can find more information about CVE-2020-24556 on the Trend Micro website and the Zero Day Initiative advisory.