Thales DIS SafeNet Sentinel LDK License Manager Runtime

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 7.3
• ATTENTION: Low skill level to exploit
• Vendor: Thales DIS
• Equipment: SafeNet Sentinel LDK License Manager Runtime
• Vulnerability: Link Following

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a local attacker to escalate privileges.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of SafeNet Sentinel LDK License Manager, are affected: 

• SafeNet Sentinel LDK License Manager, all versions prior to 7.101(only Microsoft Windows versions are affected) 

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1    IMPROPER LINK RESOLUTION BEFORE FILE ACCESS ('LINK FOLLOWING') CWE-59

The affected product is vulnerable when configured as a service. This vulnerability may allow an attacker with local access to create, write, and/or delete files in system folder using symbolic links, leading to a privilege escalation. This vulnerability could also be used by an attacker to execute a malicious DLL, which could impact the integrity and availability of the system. 

CVE-2019-18232 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Multiple 
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: France

3.4 RESEARCHER

Ryan Wincey of Blizzard Entertainment Red team reported this vulnerability to Thales.

4. MITIGATIONS

Thales recommends upgrading to Version 7.101 or later. 

For more information see Thales DIS security announcement (login required). 

CISA recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks: 

• Do not click web links or open unsolicited attachments in email messages. 
• Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams. 
• Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.
• Adhere to principles of least privilege when setting up user accounts.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.



CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on us-cert.gov. Several recommended practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage on us-cert.gov in the Technical Information Paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.



Organizations observing any suspected malicious activity should follow their established internal procedures and report their findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely.

• Thales DIS