ZKTeco ZKTime.Net 3.0.1.6 contains insecure file permissions that allow unprivileged users to escalate privileges by replacing executable files with m...
Description
ZKTeco ZKTime.Net 3.0.1.6 contains insecure file permissions that allow unprivileged users to escalate privileges by replacing executable files with malicious binaries.
AI Analyst Comment
Remediation
Update Unknown Multiple Products to the latest version. Monitor for exploitation attempts and review access logs.
---METADATA---
VENDOR: ZKTeco
PRODUCT: ZKTime.Net
AFFECTED_VERSIONS: 3.0.1.6
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Description Summary:
ZKTeco ZKTime.Net 3.0.1.6 contains insecure file permissions that allow unprivileged users to escalate privileges by replacing executable files with malicious binaries.
Executive Summary:
Insecure directory permissions in ZKTeco ZKTime.Net 3.0.1.6 allow local unprivileged users to escalate their privileges to SYSTEM level by hijacking executable files.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-ID: CVE-2016-20024
Affected Software: ZKTeco ZKTime.Net
Affected Versions: 3.0.1.6
Vulnerability: The application directory (
ZKTimeNet3.0) and its contents are configured with world-writable permissions. This allows any unprivileged user on the system to replace legitimate executables with malicious ones, which are then executed by the system.Business Impact
A successful exploit leads to a full local privilege escalation. This allows a low-level user to gain SYSTEM-level access, potentially compromising the entire host machine and any data it manages. The CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the Critical risk of total loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected system.
Remediation Plan
Immediate Action: Update ZKTime.Net to a version that correctly applies the principle of least privilege to its file system structure.
Proactive Monitoring: Audit file integrity within the
ZKTimeNet3.0directory and monitor for unauthorized modifications to.exeor.dllfiles.Compensating Controls: Manually restrict NTFS permissions on the application directory to allow only administrators and the service account to have write access.
Exploitation Status
Public Exploit Available: No
Analyst Notes: As of March 16, 2026, there is no public information indicating active exploitation. This late disclosure highlights long-standing risks in legacy biometric and time-management software.
Analyst Recommendation
This vulnerability is a textbook case of insecure deployment. Administrators must either update the software immediately or manually harden the file system permissions to prevent unprivileged users from gaining full control over the server.