Cisco Secure Desktop Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

iDefense Security Advisory 11.08.06
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
Nov 08, 2006

I. BACKGROUND

Cisco Secure Desktop allows secure VPN connections from remote PCs and
offers functionality to ensure PCs meet administrator approved security
policies as well as having features that securely wipe downloaded data
after disconnect.  More information is available on the vendors site at:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6742/prod_release_notes_list.html

II. DESCRIPTION

Local exploitation of an insecure permissions vulnerability in Cisco
Systems Secure Desktop product could allow privilege escalation attacks
to be conducted by local users.

When Cisco Secure Desktop Web VPN product is installed on a NTFS formatted
drive, permissions are set on all files to grant full control to all users.
Certain files run as a system service and can be easily replaced.

III. ANALYSIS

Exploiting this vulnerability allows unprivileged local users to gain
system-level permissions to their local PCs. Exploitation is trivial and no
exploit code is required. Binaries for locally running services can be
renamed while they are running, making exploitation straight forward.

IV. DETECTION

iDefense has confirmed this vulnerability exists on Cisco Secure Desktop
version 3.1.1.27. Previous versions are suspected to be vulnerable.

V. WORKAROUND

Correcting the file permissions of the Secure Desktop installation
directory would prevent exploitation.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

Cisco has addressed this vulnerability within version 3.1.1.45 of the Cisco
Secure Desktop Software.  More information can be obtained from Cisco's
advisory at:

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/cisco-sa-20061108-csd.shtml

VII. CVE INFORMATION

A Mitre Corp. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number has not
been assigned yet.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

10/04/2006  Initial vendor notification
10/06/2006  Initial vendor response
11/08/2006  Coordinated public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

This vulnerability was reported to iDefense by Titon of Bastard Labs.

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X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2006 iDefense, Inc.

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Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at
the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of
the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect,
or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this
information.