Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (November 2018) - Nessus

High Plugin ID: 118978

This page contains detailed information about the Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (November 2018) Nessus plugin including available exploits and PoCs found on GitHub, in Metasploit or Exploit-DB for verifying of this vulnerability.

Table Of Contents

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Plugin Overview
Vulnerability Information

Synopsis
Description
Solution

Public Exploits
Risk Information
Plugin Source
How to Run
References
Version

Plugin Overview

ID: 118978
Name: Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (November 2018)
Filename: smb_nt_ms18_nov_exchange_server_CVE-2018-8581.nasl
Vulnerability Published: 2018-11-13
This Plugin Published: 2018-11-16
Last Modification Time: 2022-03-08
Plugin Version: 1.7
Plugin Type: local
Plugin Family: Windows
Dependencies: microsoft_exchange_installed.nbin
Required KB Items [?]: installed_sw/Microsoft Exchange

Vulnerability Information

Severity: High
Vulnerability Published: 2018-11-13
Patch Published: N/A
CVE [?]: CVE-2018-8581
CPE [?]: cpe:/o:microsoft:exchange_server

Synopsis

The mail server application on the remote Windows host is affected by a privilege escalation vulnerability.

Description

The Microsoft Exchange install on the remote host contains an unspecified flaw that allows an authenticated, man-in-the-middle attacker to impersonate another user and escalate privileges.

Solution

Delete the following registry value :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\DisableLoopbackCheck

as shown in the advisory.

Public Exploits

Target Network Port(s): 139, 445
Target Asset(s): N/A
Exploit Available: True (GitHub)
Exploit Ease: Exploits are available

Here's the list of publicly known exploits and PoCs for verifying the Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (November 2018) vulnerability:

GitHub: https://github.com/404notf0und/Security-Data-Analysis-and-Visualization
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/61106960/adPEAS
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/Apri1y/Red-Team-links
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/CYJoe-Cyclone/Awesome-CobaltStrike
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/Echocipher/Resource-list
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/ErdemOzgen/ActiveDirectoryAttacks
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/Nieuport/Active-Directory-Kill-Chain-Attack-Defense
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/SycloverSecurity/http_ntlmrelayx
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/geeksniper/active-directory-pentest
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/hudunkey/Red-Team-links
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/infosecn1nja/AD-Attack-Defense
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/john-80/-007
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/lp008/Hack-readme
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/mishmashclone/infosecn1nja-AD-Attack-Defense
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/phackt/Invoke-Recon
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/shantanu561993/DomainUserToDomainAdminTechniques
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/slimdaddy/RedTeam
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/tataev/Security
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/tom0li/collection-document
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/xiaoZ-hc/redtool
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/zer0yu/Awesome-CobaltStrike
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/zer0yu/Intranet_Penetration_CheetSheets
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/zoreforlugcoiz/Devhoster
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/qiantu88/CVE-2018-8581
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/Ridter/Exchange2domain
[CVE-2018-8581]
GitHub: https://github.com/WyAtu/CVE-2018-8581
[CVE-2018-8581: CVE-2018-8581 | Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability]

Before running any exploit against any system, make sure you are authorized by the owner of the target system(s) to perform such activity. In any other case, this would be considered as an illegal activity.

WARNING: Beware of using unverified exploits from sources such as GitHub or Exploit-DB. These exploits and PoCs could contain malware. For more information, see how to use exploits safely.

Risk Information

CVSS Score Source [?]: CVE-2018-8581
CVSS V2 Vector: AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:N/E:H/RL:OF/RC:C

CVSS Base Score:	5.8 (Medium)
Impact Subscore:	4.9
Exploitability Subscore:	8.6
CVSS Temporal Score:	5.0 (Medium)
CVSS Environmental Score:	NA (None)
Modified Impact Subscore:	NA
Overall CVSS Score:	5.0 (Medium)

CVSS V3 Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N/E:H/RL:O/RC:C

CVSS Base Score:	7.4 (High)
Impact Subscore:	5.2
Exploitability Subscore:	2.2
CVSS Temporal Score:	7.1 (High)
CVSS Environmental Score:	NA (None)
Modified Impact Subscore:	NA
Overall CVSS Score:	7.1 (High)

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Plugin Source

#%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 70300
#
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include('deprecated_nasl_level.inc');
include('compat.inc');

if (description)
{
  script_id(118978);
  script_version("1.7");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2022/03/08");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2018-8581");
  script_bugtraq_id(105837);
  script_xref(name:"CISA-KNOWN-EXPLOITED", value:"2022/03/17");

  script_name(english:"Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (November 2018)");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The mail server application on the remote Windows host is affected by
a privilege escalation vulnerability.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"The Microsoft Exchange install on the remote host contains an
unspecified flaw that allows an authenticated, man-in-the-middle
attacker to impersonate another user and escalate privileges.");
  # https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8581
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?f97b93f2");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Delete the following registry value :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\DisableLoopbackCheck

as shown in the advisory.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:N");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:H/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:H/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2018-8581");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2018/11/13");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2018/11/16");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:microsoft:exchange_server");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"Windows");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2018-2022 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("microsoft_exchange_installed.nbin");
  script_require_keys("installed_sw/Microsoft Exchange");
  script_require_ports(139, 445);

  exit(0);
}

include("audit.inc");
include("smb_func.inc");
include("smb_hotfixes.inc");
include("smb_hotfixes_fcheck.inc");
include("smb_reg_query.inc");
include("misc_func.inc");
include("install_func.inc");

app = "Microsoft Exchange";
get_install_count(app_name:app, exit_if_zero:TRUE);

registry_init();
hklm = registry_hive_connect(hive:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, exit_on_fail:TRUE);
reg_name = "SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\DisableLoopbackCheck";
reg_value_resp = get_registry_value(handle:hklm, item:reg_name);
err = session_get_errorcode();
RegCloseKey(handle:hklm);
close_registry();

if (isnull(reg_value_resp))
{
  # make sure NULL was returned solely due to the data not existing in the registry
  if (err == ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND)
    audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected. Registry key 'HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\DisableLoopbackCheck' not found.");
  else
    audit(AUDIT_FN_FAIL, 'get_registry_value', 'error code ' + error_code_to_string(err));
}

port = kb_smb_transport();

reg_name = "HKLM\" + reg_name;
report =
  '\n  Value name : ' + reg_name +
  '\n  Value data : ' + reg_value_resp;
report += '\n';
security_report_v4(port:port, severity:"SECURITY_WARNING", extra:report);

The latest version of this script can be found in these locations depending on your platform:

Linux / Unix:
/opt/nessus/lib/nessus/plugins/smb_nt_ms18_nov_exchange_server_CVE-2018-8581.nasl
Windows:
C:\ProgramData\Tenable\Nessus\nessus\plugins\smb_nt_ms18_nov_exchange_server_CVE-2018-8581.nasl
Mac OS X:
/Library/Nessus/run/lib/nessus/plugins/smb_nt_ms18_nov_exchange_server_CVE-2018-8581.nasl

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How to Run

Here is how to run the Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (November 2018) as a standalone plugin via the Nessus web user interface (https://localhost:8834/):

Click to start a New Scan.
Select Advanced Scan.
Navigate to the Plugins tab.
On the top right corner click to Disable All plugins.
On the left side table select Windows plugin family.
On the right side table select Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (November 2018) plugin ID 118978.
Specify the target on the Settings tab and click to Save the scan.
Run the scan.

Here are a few examples of how to run the plugin in the command line. Note that the examples below demonstrate the usage on the Linux / Unix platform.

Basic usage:

/opt/nessus/bin/nasl smb_nt_ms18_nov_exchange_server_CVE-2018-8581.nasl -t <IP/HOST>

Run the plugin with audit trail message on the console:

/opt/nessus/bin/nasl -a smb_nt_ms18_nov_exchange_server_CVE-2018-8581.nasl -t <IP/HOST>

Run the plugin with trace script execution written to the console (useful for debugging):

/opt/nessus/bin/nasl -T - smb_nt_ms18_nov_exchange_server_CVE-2018-8581.nasl -t <IP/HOST>

Run the plugin with using a state file for the target and updating it (useful for running multiple plugins on the target):

/opt/nessus/bin/nasl -K /tmp/state smb_nt_ms18_nov_exchange_server_CVE-2018-8581.nasl -t <IP/HOST>

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References

BID | SecurityFocus Bugtraq ID:

105837

See also:

Similar and related Nessus plugins:

119938 - Node.js Multiple Vulnerabilities (November 2018 Security Releases)
118913 - KB4467106: Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 November 2018 Security Update
118914 - KB4467680: Windows 10 November 2018 Security Update
118915 - KB4467686: Windows 10 Version 1709 and Windows Server Version 1709 November 2018 Security Update
118916 - KB4467691: Windows 10 Version 1607 and Windows Server 2016 November 2018 Security Update
122818 - KB4467696: Windows 10 Version 1703 November 2018 Security Update
118918 - KB4467703: Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 November 2018 Security Update
118919 - KB4467678: Windows Server 2012 November 2018 Security Update
122819 - KB4467702: Windows 10 Version 1803 and Windows Server Version 1803 November 2018 Security Update
118920 - KB4467700: Windows Server 2008 November 2018 Security Update
122820 - KB4467708: Windows 10 Version 1809 and Windows Server 2019 November 2018 Security Update
119095 - KB4477029: Security update for Adobe Flash Player (November 2018)
118922 - Security Updates for Internet Explorer (November 2018)

Version

This page has been produced using Nessus Professional 10.1.2 (#68) LINUX, Plugin set 202205072148.
Plugin file smb_nt_ms18_nov_exchange_server_CVE-2018-8581.nasl version 1.7. For more plugins, visit the Nessus Plugin Library.

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Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (November 2018) - Nessus

Plugin Overview

Vulnerability Information

Synopsis

Description

Solution

Public Exploits

Risk Information

Plugin Source

How to Run

References

Version

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