Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Affects Active Directory Certificate Services

CVE-2024-49019

What is CVE-2024-49019?

CVE-2024-49019 is a vulnerability in Microsoft’s Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), which is designed to manage digital certificates and facilitate secure communications within an organization. This elevation of privilege vulnerability could allow an unauthorized user to gain higher access levels than intended, potentially compromising the integrity of the certificate services. If exploited, this vulnerability could have severe consequences for organizations relying on AD CS for securing their digital identity and trustworthiness.

Technical Details

The vulnerability results from insufficient validation in Active Directory Certificate Services, enabling an attacker to elevate privileges. This flaw does not compromise the integrity of the overall system; however, it allows an attacker with some level of access to exploit it to gain elevated rights, which could then be used to manipulate certificate issuance or operation settings. The technical specificity of this vulnerability highlights its potential for abuse in tailored attacks against digital certificate trust models.

Impact of the Vulnerability

1. Unauthorized Access: An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain elevated permissions within the Active Directory environment, enabling them to perform actions that are typically restricted, such as issuing unauthorized certificates or modifying existing certificate configurations.

2. Compromised Certificate Integrity: Given the role of AD CS in managing digital identities, an attacker could manipulate certificate authority functions, potentially leading to forged certificates. This could facilitate man-in-the-middle attacks, further undermining organizational security.

3. Increased Risk of Data Breaches: By gaining elevated privileges, attackers might access sensitive corporate data stored within the network. This situation could lead to broader data breaches, impacting organizational confidentiality and compliance with data protection regulations.

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