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CVE-2023-37243NVD status: Modified

Atera Agent Package Availability: Creation of Temporary File in Directory with Insecure Permissions

CVE-2023-37243 is a high-severity creation of temporary file in directory with insecure permissions vulnerability in Atera Agent Package Availability from Atera, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Atera Agent Package Availability versions: 0.14.0.0 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.19% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Atera Agent Package Availability you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
AteraAtera Agent Package Availability0.14.0.0 and earlierNot stated
Ateraagent_package_availability0.14.0.0 and earlierNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.8HighCNA (google.com)
CVSS 3.17.8HighNVD

Official description

The C:\Windows\Temp\Agent.Package.Availability\Agent.Package.Availability.exe file is automatically launched as SYSTEM when the system reboots. Since the C:\Windows\Temp\Agent.Package.Availability folder inherits permissions from C:\Windows\Temp and Agent.Package.Availability.exe is susceptible to DLL hijacking, standard users can write a malicious DLL to it and elevate their privileges.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Creation of Temporary File in Directory with Insecure Permissions

The product creates a temporary file in a directory whose permissions allow unintended actors to determine the file's existence or otherwise access that file.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Many contemporary languages have functions which properly handle this condition. Older C temp file functions are especially susceptible.
  • Try to store sensitive tempfiles in a directory which is not world readable -- i.e., per-user directories.
  • Avoid using vulnerable temp file functions.

More Creation of Temporary File in Directory with Insecure Permissions vulnerabilities (CWE-379)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Recent Creation of Temporary File in Directory with Insecure Permissions vulnerabilities

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