Netskope Client: Improper Preservation of Permissions
CVE-2023-4996 is a high-severity improper preservation of permissions vulnerability in Netskope Client from Netskope, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Netskope Client versions: 100 & prior. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.45% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Netskope to 101 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on netskope.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netskope | Netskope Client | 100 & prior | Not stated |
| Netskope | Netskope | before 101 | 101 |
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
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- 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:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 6.6 | Medium | CNA (netskope.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
Netskope was made aware of a security vulnerability in its NSClient product for version 100 & prior where a malicious non-admin user can disable the Netskope client by using a specially-crafted package. The root cause of the problem was a user control code when called by a Windows ServiceController did not validate the permissions associated with the user before executing the user control code. This user control code had permissions to terminate the NSClient service.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Preservation of Permissions
The product does not preserve permissions or incorrectly preserves permissions when copying, restoring, or sharing objects, which can cause them to have less restrictive permissions than intended.
More Improper Preservation of Permissions vulnerabilities (CWE-281)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Netskope Client
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Improper Preservation of Permissions vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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