Privilege escalation in Zyxel SecuExtender SSL VPN client for macOS

1) Untrusted search path

EUVDB-ID: #VU83321

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-426 - Untrusted Search Path

Exploit availability: No

Description

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

The vulnerability exists due to usage of an untrusted search path during helper update. A local user can place a malicious binary into a specific location on the system and execute arbitrary code with escalated privileges.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

SecuExtender SSL VPN client for macOS: 1.0.0 - 1.1.7

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:a:zyxel_communications_corp:secuextender_macos:1.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:zyxel_communications_corp:secuextender_macos:1.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:zyxel_communications_corp:secuextender_macos:1.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://download.zyxel.com/SecuExtender_VPN_Client/software/SecuExtender%20VPN%20Client_SSL_VPN_Client_1.2.6_2.pdf#1.2.3

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.