Privilege escalation in Microsoft Skype

1) Privilege escalation

EUVDB-ID: #VU10593

Risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: N/A

CWE-ID: CWE-427 - Uncontrolled Search Path Element

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a local attacker to gain elevated privileges on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to insecure .dll loading mechanism when opening files. A local attacker can place a file along with specially crafted DLL in the '[SystemRoot]\Temp\' directory, and execute arbitrary code with system privileges when the Skype update mechanism ('[ProgramFiles]\Skype\Updater\Updater.exe') runs.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may allow an attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

Mitigation

Cybersecurity Help is currently unaware of any solutions addressing the vulnerability.

Vulnerable software versions

Skype: 7.35 - 7.40.0.104

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:skype:7.35:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:skype:7.35.0.102:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:skype:7.36:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.