Link following in WithSecure Elements
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
WithSecure Elements Endpoint Protection Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of WithSecure Elements Endpoint Protection. User interaction on the part of an administrator is required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the WithSecure plugin hosting service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to create a file. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-23035.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WithSecure | Elements | 23.9 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- Elements VendorWithSecure Affected 23.9 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 5
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:withsecure:client_security:15:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 15 | Vulnerable | WithSecure |
| cpe:2.3:a:withsecure:elements_endpoint_protection:17:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 17 | Vulnerable | WithSecure |
| cpe:2.3:a:withsecure:email_and_server_security:15:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 15 | Vulnerable | WithSecure |
| cpe:2.3:a:withsecure:server_security:15:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 15 | Vulnerable | WithSecure |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
- cpe:2.3:a:withsecure:client_security:15:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 15 Vulnerable ·WithSecure
- cpe:2.3:a:withsecure:elements_endpoint_protection:17:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 17 Vulnerable ·WithSecure
- cpe:2.3:a:withsecure:email_and_server_security:15:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 15 Vulnerable ·WithSecure
- cpe:2.3:a:withsecure:server_security:15:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 15 Vulnerable ·WithSecure
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2024-4454
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-3qv8-vwg9-439r
References
Advisory 1
More WithSecure Client Security vulnerabilities
- TI-2023-22676 Certain WithSecure products allow a remote crash of a scanning engine via decompression… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2023-22675 Certain WithSecure products allow an infinite loop in a scanning engine via unspecified… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2023-22674 Certain WithSecure products allow an infinite loop in a scanning engine via unspecified… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2023-22673 Certain WithSecure products allow a remote crash of a scanning engine via unpacking of a… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2023-22672 Certain WithSecure products allow a remote crash of a scanning engine via processing of… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2023-22671 Certain WithSecure products allow a remote crash of a scanning engine via processing of a… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
Sources
- CVE-2024-4454 · CVE Program
- CVE-2024-4454 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-3qv8-vwg9-439r · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences