CVE-2019-20357
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on Trend Micro Security consumer products, achieving persistent access to compromised systems. It affects Trend Micro Security 2020 (v16.0) and 2019 (v15) consumer versions, enabling privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms.
💻 Affected Systems
- Trend Micro Security 2020
- Trend Micro Security 2019
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with persistent attacker control, data theft, ransomware deployment, and use as pivot point for network attacks.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to malware persistence, credential theft, and system backdoor installation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper endpoint protection, network segmentation, and least privilege principles in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit requires ability to execute code on target system first. Public proof-of-concept available in advisory references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Update to latest version via Trend Micro update mechanism
Vendor Advisory: https://esupport.trendmicro.com/en-us/home/pages/technical-support/1124099.aspx
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Trend Micro Security. 2. Click 'Check for Updates'. 3. Apply all available updates. 4. Restart computer when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable components
windowsTemporarily disable Trend Micro services while awaiting patch
sc stop "Trend Micro Security"
sc config "Trend Micro Security" start= disabled
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized program execution
- Enforce strict least privilege principles and monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Trend Micro Security version in application interface or via 'wmic product get name,version' for v16.0 or v15Check Version:
wmic product where "name like '%Trend Micro%'" get name,versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is updated beyond v16.0 for 2020 or v15 for 2019 in application interface📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual Trend Micro service restarts
- Privilege escalation attempts in Windows Event Logs
- Suspicious process creation from Trend Micro directories
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound connections from Trend Micro processes
- Beaconing behavior from compromised systems
SIEM Query:
Process Creation where (Image contains 'Trend Micro' OR ParentImage contains 'Trend Micro') AND CommandLine contains suspicious patterns🔗 References
- http://hyp3rlinx.altervista.org/advisories/TREND-MICRO-SECURITY-CONSUMER-PERSISTENT-ARBITRARY-CODE-EXECUTION.txt
- https://esupport.trendmicro.com/en-us/home/pages/technical-support/1124099.aspx
- https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Jan/28
- http://hyp3rlinx.altervista.org/advisories/TREND-MICRO-SECURITY-CONSUMER-PERSISTENT-ARBITRARY-CODE-EXECUTION.txt
- https://esupport.trendmicro.com/en-us/home/pages/technical-support/1124099.aspx
- https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Jan/28
