CVE-2023-28065: Dell Alienware Update Privilege Escalation

CVE-2023-28065 Overview

CVE-2023-28065 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting Dell Command | Update, Dell Update, and Alienware Update versions 4.8.0 and prior. The vulnerability stems from an insecure operation on Windows Junction / Mount Point, which can be exploited by a local malicious user to elevate privileges on the affected system.

Windows junction points and mount points are a type of symbolic link in Windows file systems that allow directories to be redirected to other locations. When applications handle these file system objects improperly during privileged operations, attackers can manipulate them to redirect operations to sensitive system locations, potentially gaining elevated access.

Critical Impact

Local attackers with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated system privileges, potentially achieving full control over affected Dell systems running vulnerable update software.

Affected Products

• Dell Command | Update versions 4.8.0 and prior
• Dell Update versions 4.8.0 and prior
• Alienware Update versions 4.8.0 and prior
• Microsoft Windows (as the underlying operating system)

Discovery Timeline

• 2023-06-23 - CVE-2023-28065 published to NVD
• 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2023-28065

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access) and CWE-1386 (Insecure Operation on Windows Junction / Mount Point). The affected Dell update utilities perform file operations in a manner that fails to properly validate or sanitize file paths when they encounter Windows junction points or mount points.

During the update process, these Dell utilities may perform privileged file operations such as writing to specific directories, creating temporary files, or modifying configuration data. When the application follows a junction point without proper validation, it can be tricked into performing these privileged operations on arbitrary locations chosen by the attacker.

The vulnerability requires local access to the system and user interaction, meaning an attacker must already have some level of access to the target machine. However, once exploited, the attacker can leverage the elevated privileges of the Dell update software to perform actions that would otherwise be restricted, including accessing sensitive data, modifying system configurations, or installing malicious software.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2023-28065 lies in the improper handling of Windows file system reparse points, specifically junction points and mount points, by the Dell update utilities. The affected software does not adequately verify whether file paths it operates on have been redirected through symbolic links or junction points before performing privileged file system operations.

When a privileged process performs operations like file writes, directory creation, or permission changes on paths that can be manipulated by lower-privileged users, and fails to resolve or validate the final target of those paths, it creates an opportunity for privilege escalation through symlink attacks.

Attack Vector

The attack is performed locally and requires the attacker to have low-privilege access to the target system. The exploitation scenario typically involves:

1. An attacker with limited user privileges identifies that a vulnerable version of Dell Command | Update, Dell Update, or Alienware Update is installed
2. The attacker creates a junction point in a location where the update software is expected to write files during its operation
3. This junction point redirects the software's file operations to a sensitive system location, such as the Windows system directory
4. When the update software runs with elevated privileges and performs file operations, it follows the junction point unknowingly
5. The redirected operation results in privileged actions being performed on the attacker's chosen target location

This attack methodology is commonly referred to as a symlink attack or junction point attack and is a well-documented privilege escalation technique on Windows systems.

Detection Methods for CVE-2023-28065

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected junction points or mount points created in directories used by Dell update software (typically under C:\ProgramData\Dell\ or similar locations)
• Unusual file system activity originating from DellCommandUpdate.exe, Dell.UpdateService.exe, or AlienwareUpdate.exe processes
• Modifications to system files or directories that coincide with Dell update software execution
• Creation of suspicious symbolic links by non-administrative users in Dell application directories

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for the creation of reparse points (junction points and symbolic links) in directories associated with Dell update software using Windows file system auditing
• Implement endpoint detection rules that alert on privilege escalation attempts involving symlink attacks
• Use SentinelOne's behavioral AI to detect anomalous file system operations during update processes
• Deploy YARA rules or custom detection logic targeting known junction point abuse patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Windows Security Event logging for file system events (Event IDs 4663, 4656) in Dell application directories
• Configure SentinelOne to monitor for suspicious process behavior involving the affected Dell executables
• Establish baseline behavior for Dell update software and alert on deviations
• Monitor for creation of reparse points by non-system processes in protected directories

How to Mitigate CVE-2023-28065

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Dell Command | Update, Dell Update, and Alienware Update to version 4.9.0 or later immediately
• Audit systems for vulnerable versions using software inventory tools
• Restrict local user access on systems where immediate patching is not possible
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized software execution during the patching window

Patch Information

Dell has released security patches addressing this vulnerability in Dell Security Advisory DSA-2023-146. Organizations should update to Dell Command | Update version 4.9.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability. The patch implements proper validation of file paths to prevent junction point and symlink abuse during privileged operations.

Workarounds

• If immediate patching is not feasible, consider temporarily disabling or uninstalling the affected Dell update utilities until updates can be applied
• Implement strict access controls on directories used by Dell update software to prevent junction point creation by non-administrative users
• Use Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) or similar tools to restrict the execution context of the update utilities
• Monitor affected systems closely using endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions like SentinelOne until patches are deployed

# Check installed version of Dell Command Update via PowerShell
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -like "*Dell*Update*" } | Select-Object Name, Version

# Alternatively, check the registry for installed version
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Dell\UpdateService\Clients\CommandUpdate" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object ProductVersion