CVE-2023-44209
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges by exploiting improper handling of symbolic links in Acronis Agent. Attackers with local access can gain elevated privileges on affected systems. All Acronis Agent users on Linux, macOS, and Windows before build 29051 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Acronis Agent
📦 What is this software?
Agent by Acronis
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local attacker gains root/administrator privileges, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, and persistence establishment.
Likely Case
Local user or malware with initial foothold escalates to higher privileges to install additional malware, access sensitive data, or maintain persistence.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to isolated systems with rapid detection and containment.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access but exploitation is straightforward once local access is obtained. No authentication bypass needed beyond initial local access.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Build 29051 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://security-advisory.acronis.com/advisories/SEC-2119
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Acronis Agent build 29051 or later from official Acronis sources. 2. Install the update following standard Acronis Agent update procedures. 3. Restart the system to ensure all components are updated.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local access
allLimit local user access to systems running Acronis Agent to trusted personnel only.
Monitor symbolic link creation
linuxImplement file system monitoring for suspicious symbolic link creation in Acronis Agent directories.
# Linux audit rule example
sudo auditctl -w /opt/acronis/ -p wa -k acronis_symlinks
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove Acronis Agent from systems where it's not essential
- Implement strict access controls and monitoring for systems with vulnerable Acronis Agent
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Acronis Agent version: On Linux/macOS: check agent version in UI or logs. On Windows: Check Programs and Features for Acronis Agent version.Check Version:
# Linux/macOS: Check agent service or logs
# Windows: wmic product where name="Acronis Agent" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Acronis Agent version is 29051 or later and check that no privilege escalation attempts are detected in logs.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual privilege escalation attempts
- Suspicious symbolic link creation in Acronis directories
- Unexpected process execution with elevated privileges
Network Indicators:
- None - this is local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND ProcessName LIKE '%acronis%' AND NewProcessName IN ('cmd.exe', 'powershell.exe', 'bash') AND SubjectUserName != SYSTEM