CVE-2024-36302
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an origin validation vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One security agent that allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations. Attackers must first gain low-privileged code execution on the target system to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations using Trend Micro Apex One security agent are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Trend Micro Apex One
📦 What is this software?
Apex One by Trendmicro
Apex One by Trendmicro
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with administrative privileges, enabling complete control over the affected endpoint, data exfiltration, lateral movement, and persistence establishment.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to bypass security controls, install additional malware, access sensitive data, and maintain persistence on compromised systems.
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to proper access controls, network segmentation, and endpoint protection preventing initial low-privileged access required for exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to execute low-privileged code first; similar to CVE-2024-36303 but not identical
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check vendor advisory for specific patched versions
Vendor Advisory: https://success.trendmicro.com/dcx/s/solution/000298063
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review Trend Micro advisory 000298063. 2. Download and apply the latest security update for Apex One. 3. Restart affected systems. 4. Verify patch installation through Apex One console.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local user privileges
windowsImplement least privilege principle to limit users' ability to execute low-privileged code
Application control policies
windowsImplement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and least privilege principles to prevent initial low-privileged access
- Deploy additional endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Apex One agent version against patched versions listed in Trend Micro advisory 000298063Check Version:
Check Apex One console or agent properties for version informationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Apex One agent is updated to patched version through management console or agent properties📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual privilege escalation events in Windows Security logs
- Apex One service manipulation attempts
- Process creation with elevated privileges from non-admin users
Network Indicators:
- Lateral movement attempts following local privilege escalation
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND NewProcessName CONTAINS 'cmd.exe' OR 'powershell.exe' AND SubjectUserName NOT IN (admin_users) AND TokenElevationType=2