Privilege escalation in Windows User Profile Service

1) Link following

EUVDB-ID: #VU22715

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: CVE-2019-1454

CWE-ID: CWE-59 - Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to the Windows User Profile Service (ProfSvc) does not properly handles symbolic links. A local user can create a specially crafted symbolic link and elevate privileges on the system.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Windows: 7 - 10 1903 10.0.18362.116

Windows Server: 2008 - 2019 1903

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:8.1_RT:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10_1607:10.0.14393.10:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10_1703:10.0.15063.138:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10_1709:10.0.16299.19:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10_1903:10.0.18362.116:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-1454

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.