CVE-2024-34017
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Acronis Snap Deploy for Windows due to DLL hijacking. Attackers with local access can exploit insecure DLL loading to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. Only Windows users running vulnerable versions of Acronis Snap Deploy are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Acronis Snap Deploy
📦 What is this software?
Snap Deploy by Acronis
Snap Deploy by Acronis
Snap Deploy by Acronis
Snap Deploy by Acronis
Snap Deploy by Acronis
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise where an attacker gains SYSTEM privileges, enabling installation of persistent malware, credential theft, and lateral movement across the network.
Likely Case
Local attackers escalate from standard user to administrator/SYSTEM privileges to bypass security controls, install unauthorized software, or access sensitive data.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper access controls, application whitelisting, and least privilege principles preventing unauthorized local execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
DLL hijacking is a well-known technique; exploitation requires local access but minimal technical skill once the vulnerable DLL path is identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Build 4569 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://security-advisory.acronis.com/advisories/SEC-4505
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the latest version of Acronis Snap Deploy from the official Acronis website. 2. Run the installer to update to build 4569 or later. 3. Restart the system to ensure all components are properly loaded.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict DLL search path
windowsUse application control policies to restrict where DLLs can be loaded from, preventing hijacking from user-writable directories.
Configure via Windows AppLocker or Software Restriction Policies
Remove vulnerable permissions
windowsRemove write permissions for standard users on directories where the vulnerable application searches for DLLs.
icacls "C:\path\to\vulnerable\directory" /deny Users:(OI)(CI)W
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict least privilege principles: ensure no users have administrative rights unless absolutely necessary.
- Deploy application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries and DLLs from user-writable locations.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the Acronis Snap Deploy version in the application's About dialog or installed programs list; versions before build 4569 are vulnerable.Check Version:
Check via Programs and Features in Control Panel or run: wmic product where name="Acronis Snap Deploy" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the installed version is build 4569 or later and check that DLL hijacking attempts from user-writable directories are blocked.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs showing DLL loading from unusual locations (Event ID 7 in Sysmon)
- Failed DLL loading attempts from non-standard paths
Network Indicators:
- No direct network indicators as this is local exploitation
SIEM Query:
EventID=7 AND (Image LIKE '%snapdeploy%' OR ProcessName LIKE '%snapdeploy%') AND (ImageLoaded LIKE '%Users%' OR ImageLoaded LIKE '%Temp%')