Vulnerability identifier: #VU9526

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 8.1 [CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:U/RC:C]

CVE-ID: N/A

CWE-ID: CWE-264

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Symantec Encryption Desktop
Client/Desktop applications / Encryption software
Symantec Endpoint Encryption
Client/Desktop applications / Encryption software

Vendor: Broadcom

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

The weakness exists due to boundary error in a kernel driver, PGPwded.sys, in Symantec Encryption Desktop when processing input/output control requests (IOCTLs). A local attacker can send specially crafted input/output control requests (IOCTLs), trigger memory corruption, attain arbitrary hard disk read and write access at sector level, subsequently infect the target, gain low level persistence (MBR/VBR) and execute arbitrary code in the context of the built-in SYSTEM user account, without requiring a reboot.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may result in system compromise.

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

Vulnerable software versions

Symantec Encryption Desktop: 10.2.0 - 10.4.2

Symantec Endpoint Encryption: 11.0.0 - 11.1.3

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External links
http://labs.nettitude.com/blog/symantec-encryption-desktop-local-privilege-escalation-exploiting-an...

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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.