How to remediate – ZENworks Remote Management Agent Detection

1. Introduction

ZENworks Remote Management Agent Detection indicates that a remote management agent is running on a system, allowing administrators to manage it remotely. This presents a potential risk if an attacker gains control of administrator credentials as they could then compromise the managed host. Systems running ZENworks are typically affected.

2. Technical Explanation

The vulnerability exists because the ZENworks Remote Management Agent is installed and listening for remote commands. An attacker gaining access to the network can attempt to connect to the agent, potentially executing arbitrary code with administrator privileges. There is no specific CVE currently associated with this detection; it represents a configuration state rather than a flaw in the software itself.

• Root cause: The ZENworks Remote Management Agent is installed and active on the host.
• Exploit mechanism: An attacker could attempt to connect to the agent using its communication protocols, potentially gaining remote control of the system if authentication is weak or compromised.
• Scope: Systems running ZENworks Remote Management Agent across various platforms supported by Micro Focus.

3. Detection and Assessment

Confirming a vulnerable system involves checking for the presence of the agent and its listening ports. A quick check can identify if it is installed, while more thorough methods involve network scanning.

• Quick checks: Use the following command on Linux to list running processes containing “ZENworks”: ps -ef | grep ZENworks. On Windows, use Task Manager or PowerShell: Get-Process | Where-Object {$_.ProcessName -like "*ZENworks*"}
• Scanning: Nessus plugin ID 16384 can detect the presence of ZENworks agents. This is an example only; other scanners may also provide relevant detections.
• Logs and evidence: Check system logs for entries related to ZENworks agent startup or communication events. Specific log paths vary by operating system.

ps -ef | grep ZENworks

4. Solution / Remediation Steps

The solution involves assessing the need for remote management and, if not required, uninstalling the agent. If remote management is necessary, ensure strong authentication and network security measures are in place.

4.1 Preparation

• Ensure you have administrator credentials to perform the uninstallation. A roll back plan involves restoring from backup or re-imaging the system if necessary.
• A change window may be required depending on service impact. Approval should be sought from IT management.

4.2 Implementation

1. Step 1: Uninstall the ZENworks Remote Management Agent using the operating system’s standard uninstallation process (e.g., Control Panel on Windows, package manager on Linux).

4.3 Config or Code Example

This vulnerability does not involve a configuration change but rather software removal.

Before

ZENworks agent is installed and running.

After

ZENworks agent is uninstalled.

4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability

Least privilege can reduce the impact if an attacker compromises administrator credentials. Regular patch cadence ensures that any known vulnerabilities in ZENworks are addressed promptly.

• Practice 1: Least privilege limits the potential damage from a compromised account.
• Practice 2: Patch cadence reduces the window of opportunity for attackers to exploit known issues.

4.5 Automation (Optional)

Automated uninstallation scripts can be used, but require careful testing and validation.

# Example PowerShell script (use with caution):
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like "*ZENworks*"} | Uninstall-Package

5. Verification / Validation

Confirm the fix by verifying that the agent is no longer running and listening on its ports. A negative test involves attempting to connect to the agent, which should fail.

• Post-fix check: Run ps -ef | grep ZENworks (Linux) or Get-Process | Where-Object {$_.ProcessName -like "*ZENworks*"} (Windows). Expected output should be empty.
• Re-test: Re-run the initial detection method; it should no longer identify the agent.
• Monitoring: Monitor system logs for any unexpected errors related to ZENworks, which could indicate a failed uninstall or residual components.

ps -ef | grep ZENworks

6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring

Regular security baselines should include checks for unnecessary software like remote management agents. CI/CD pipelines can be used to prevent the installation of unauthorized software.

• Baselines: Update a security baseline or policy to disallow the installation of ZENworks Remote Management Agent unless specifically required and approved.
• Asset and patch process: Implement a regular review cycle for installed software, ensuring that only necessary tools are present on systems.

7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back

• Roll back: 1) Restore the system from a pre-uninstall backup. 2) Re-image the system if a backup is unavailable.

8. References and Resources

Official documentation from Micro Focus provides information about ZENworks Remote Management Agent.

• Vendor advisory or bulletin: https://www.microfocus.com/products/zenworks/?utm_medium=301&utm_source=novell.com