The flaws could allow attackers to execute malicious code with system privileges and to kill other processes Lenovo has fixed two high-severity vulnerabilities in the Lenovo Solution Center support tool that is preinstalled on many laptop and desktop PCs. The flaws could allow attackers to take over computers and terminate antivirus processes. Lenovo Solution Center (LSC) allows users to check their system’s virus and firewall status, update their Lenovo software, perform backups, check battery health, get registration and warranty information and run hardware tests. The two new vulnerabilities, tracked as CVE-2016-5249 and CVE-2016-5248 in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures database, were found by security researchers from Trustwave. They affect LSC versions 3.3.002 and earlier. The CVE-2016-5249 vulnerability allows an attacker who already has control of a limited account on a PC to execute malicious code via the privileged LocalSystem account. Privilege escalation flaws like this one cannot be used by themselves to compromise computers, but are often used in exploit chains. Due to security improvements in modern operating systems, remote code execution flaws don’t always provide attackers with full control over affected systems and need to be combined with privilege escalation vulnerabilities. Because of the functionality in the LSC.Services.SystemService component, any local user can open a communication pipe to the service and force it to execute arbitrary .NET code. Because this LSC service runs under the LocalSystem account, the rogue code would also be executed with LocalSystem privileges. The second vulnerability, CVE-2016-5248, allows any local user to send a command to LSC.Services.SystemService in order to kill any other process on the system, privileged or not. The target process could, for example, belong to an antivirus program or another security product. Lenovo advises users to upgrade to LSC version 3.3.003. This can be done from the application itself by agreeing to automatic update prompt, from the separate Lenovo System Update utility or by downloading the latest version of LSC manually. This is not the first time that serious flaws were found in LSC. However, Lenovo seems to be responding to such vulnerabilities in a timely manner by releasing patches and publishing security advisories. In a recent security analysis of the update tools preloaded on computers PC manufacturers, LSC was found to have one of the most secure implementations. Related content how-to The logic of && and || on Linux These AND and OR equivalents can be used in scripts to determine next actions. By Sandra Henry-Stocker May 02, 2024 4 mins Linux analysis Cisco-backed startup Corelight raises $150M to expand network security services Corelight aims to boost AI-driven security operations, cloud visibility and detection, and next-generation SIEM platforms. By Michael Cooney May 02, 2024 4 mins Network Security Networking news F5 looks to squelch 'ball of fire' that is application security Updates include security scanning and penetration testing capabilities for web applications, as well as a new container-based web application firewall. By Michael Cooney May 01, 2024 4 mins Firewalls Network Security Networking news Arista targets lateral security threat in campus and data center networks Arista Macro-Segmentation Service sets up microperimeters for enterprise resource protection. By Michael Cooney May 01, 2024 3 mins Remote Access Security Network Security Networking PODCASTS VIDEOS RESOURCES EVENTS NEWSLETTERS Newsletter Promo Module Test Description for newsletter promo module. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe