CVE-2023-47192: 
Trend Micro Apex One Agent vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2023-47192 is an agent link vulnerability discovered in the Trend Micro Apex One security agent. The vulnerability was disclosed on November 14, 2023, affecting Apex One 2019 (On-prem) and Apex One as a Service installations. This security flaw could allow a local attacker to escalate privileges on affected systems, though exploitation requires initial access to execute low-privileged code on the target system (ZDI Advisory, Trend Micro Advisory).

The vulnerability exists within the Apex One NT RealTime Scan service. By creating a junction, an attacker can abuse the service to create arbitrary files. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (High) with the vector string AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating local access requirements with low attack complexity and privilege requirements (ZDI Advisory).

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows an attacker to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM, potentially gaining complete control over the affected system (ZDI Advisory).

Trend Micro has released patches to address this vulnerability. For Apex One 2019 (On-prem), users should upgrade to SP1 CP 12526, and for Apex One as a Service, the September 2023 Monthly Patch (202309) with Agent Version 14.0.12737 is required. Additionally, customers are advised to review remote access to critical systems and ensure policies and perimeter security are up-to-date (Trend Micro Advisory).

The vulnerability was responsibly disclosed by security researcher Lays (@L4ys) of TRAPA Security, working with Trend Micro's Zero Day Initiative ([Trend Micro Advisory](https://success.trendmicro.com/dcx/s/solution/000295652?language=enUS)).