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Microsoft Teams macOS Installer Local Privilege Escalation

Medium

Synopsis

Local Privilege Escalation via teams_osx.pkg

In the latest installation package for Teams for macOS provided by Microsoft (Teams_osx.pkg), the "postinstall" script included in the installer allows for privilege escalation from a normal user to root due to improper permissions on files used throughout the installation process.

During the installation process for Teams, the application contents are moved to "/Applications" as normal. The "postinstall" script creates a LaunchDaemon that points to the TeamsUpdaterDaemon application ("/Applications/Microsoft Teams.app/Contents/TeamsUpdaterDaemon.xpc/Contents/MacOS/TeamsUpdaterDaemon"), which will run with root permissions. The issue here is that if a local attacker is able to create the "/Applications/Microsoft Teams" directory tree prior to installation, they can overwrite the TeamsUpdaterDaemon application with their own custom payload, which will be run as a LaunchDaemon, and thus give the attacker root permissions.

For example:

# Prep Steps Before Installing
/tmp ❯❯❯ mkdir -p "/Applications/Microsoft Teams.app/Contents/TeamsUpdaterDaemon.xpc/Contents/MacOS/"

# Just before install, just have this running. inelegant, but it works.

# Payload can be whatever. It won't spawn a GUI, though, so a custom dropper or other application would be necessary
/tmp ❯❯❯ while true; do
ln -f -F -s /tmp/payload "/Applications/Microsoft Teams.app/Contents/TeamsUpdaterDaemon.xpc/Contents/MacOS/TeamsUpdaterDaemon"
done

# Run installer. Wait.

The above simply creates a symlink to an arbitrary payload at the file path used in the postinstall script to create the LaunchDaemon. In order to fix this issue, we recommend verifying the integrity of the TeamsUpdaterDaemon prior to creating the LaunchDaemon entry, or using the preinstall script to verify permissions on the "/Applications/Microsoft Teams".

Solution

Microsoft has not released a fix for this issue. Users are encouraged to verify that the permissions of the "/Applications/Microsoft Teams.app/" directory prior to installation.

Disclosure Timeline

March 4, 2021 - Tenable discloses to MSRC.
March 4, 2021 - MSRC sends automated acknowledgement.
March 19, 2021 - MSRC requests clarification. Tenable provides clarification.
April 4, 2021 - MSRC states they are still evaluating this issue.
April 13, 2021 - Tenable notices that MSRC has marked the issue as "complete" with no response or notice. Tenable requests explanation.
April 14, 2021 - Tenable requests above explanation again.
April 16, 2021 - MSRC states that the issue was closed upon initial investigation. No reason given.
April 16, 2021 - Tenable requests reason.
April 21, 2021 - Tenable requests reason.
April 21, 2021 - MSRC states that they're requested the information from development team.
April 30, 2021 - Tenable requests status update.
May 7, 2021 - MSRC states they are unable to replicate. Tenable provides further clarification.
May 17, 2021 - Tenable requests status update.
May 18, 2021 - Tenable requests status update.
May 19, 2021 - MSRC states that the issue is still being discussed within their team.
May 26, 2021 - Tenable requests status update and reminds MSRC of disclosure deadline.
June 1, 2021 - MSRC states that an immediate fix will not be made available.

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If you have questions or corrections about this advisory, please email [email protected]

Risk Information

Tenable Advisory ID: TRA-2021-19
Credit:
Jimi Sebree
Affected Products:
Microsoft Teams macOS Installer
Risk Factor:
Medium

Advisory Timeline

June 3, 2021 - Initial release.