CVE-2023-27830

TightVNC before v2.8.75 allows attackers to escalate privileges on the host operating system via replacing legitimate files with crafted files when executing a…

Critical · published April 12, 2023

CVSS v3.1
9.0
EPSS
1%
Percentile
64.7
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🔥 TightVNC versions before 2.8.75 are a treasure chest for attackers, allowing them to replace crucial files during file transfers thanks to high-privilege access! Think of it like a restaurant where the chef can swap out ingredients without the waitstaff knowing—one wrong move could lead to a disastrous meal. In this case, attackers can replace legitimate files with malicious ones under the radar! An attacker could elevate their privileges on the host operating system, effectively granting them the keys to the castle! With this access, they could execute arbitrary commands, steal sensitive data, or even take control of the entire system. It's an absolutely devastating scenario for any organization!

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant where the chef can swap out ingredients without the waitstaff knowing—one wrong move could lead to a disastrous meal. In this case, attackers can replace legitimate files with malicious ones under the radar! This vulnerability stems from TightVNC running under a high-privileged account, allowing attackers to manipulate file transfers and replace legitimate files with crafted ones during the process.

What to do

An attacker could elevate their privileges on the host operating system, effectively granting them the keys to the castle! With this access, they could execute arbitrary commands, steal sensitive data, or even take control of the entire system. It's an absolutely devastating scenario for any organization! To safeguard against this, immediately upgrade TightVNC to version 2.8.75 or later. Additionally, review your file transfer protocols and ensure that only trusted files are being executed. Implement strict file integrity checks to bolster your defenses. This is fixable! Follow these steps, and you'll have TightVNC secured in no time. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.0 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.01078 · 64.7th percentile
Published
2023-04-12T00:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 12 APR 00:00Z
    TightVNC before v2.8.75 allows attackers to escalate privileges on the host operating system via replacing legitimate files with crafted files when executing a…
    cvelistv5