iDEFENSE Security Advisory 12.15.04: Computer Associates eTrust EZ Antivirus Insecure File Permission Vulnerability

From: customer service mailbox (customerservice_at_idefense.com)
Date: 12/16/04

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    Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 18:43:36 -0500
To: <bugtraq@securityfocus.com>, <vulnwatch@vulnwatch.org>

    Computer Associates eTrust EZ Antivirus Insecure File Permission
    Vulnerability

    iDEFENSE Security Advisory 12.15.04
    http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=164
    December 15, 2004

    I. BACKGROUND

    Computer Associates eTrust EZ Antivirus is antivirus protection software
    for home and business use. It provides complete protection, detection
    and elimination of thousands of computer viruses, worms, and Trojan
    Horse programs.

    II. DESCRIPTION

    Local exploitation of an insecure permission vulnerability in Computer
    Associates eTrust EZ Antivirus allows attackers to escalate privileges
    or disable protection.

    Computer Associates eTrust EZ Antivirus is a product used to protect a
    personal computer from virus infections. The vulnerability specifically
    exists in the default file Access Control List (ACL) settings that are
    applied during installation. When an administrator installs eTrust EZ
    Antivirus, the default ACL allows any user to modify the installed
    files. Because of the fact that some of the programs run as system
    services, a user can simply replace an installed eTrust EZ Antivirus
    file with their own malicious code that will later be executed with
    system privileges. One such file that would be a target for this is
    VetMsg.exe.

    III. ANALYSIS

    Successful exploitation allows local attackers to escalate privileges to
    the system level. It is also possible to use this vulnerability to
    simply disable protection by moving all of the executable files so that
    they cannot start upon a reboot.

    IV. DETECTION

    iDEFENSE has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in eTrust EZ
    Antivirus version 7.0.1.4. According to Computer Associates, eTrust EZ
    Antivirus r7.0.0 - r7.0.4 installed on PC's running Windows NT, 2000 or
    XP and with NTFS formatted drives are also affected.

    V. WORKAROUND

    Apply proper Access Control List settings to the directory that eTrust
    EZ Antivirus is installed in. The ACL rules should make sure that no
    regular users can modify files in the directory.

    VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

    "With the assistance of iDEFENSE, Computer Associates has identified a
    medium-risk vulnerability in the installation and updating components of
    eTrustTM EZ Antivirus which may allow a local user to escalate their
    user privileges on a PC and disable protection.

    Effected generally available releases of eTrust EZ Antivirus include:
    eTrust EZ Antivirus r7.0.0 - r7.0.4 installed on PC's
     - running Windows NT, 2000 or XP
     - with NTFS formatted drives

    Computer Associates has actively addressed this issue in eTrust EZ
    Antivirus r7.0.5 and above.

    More information about this vulnerability and instructions on how to
    upgrade to the latest version of eTrust EZ Antivirus can be found at:

    http://crm.my-etrust.com/login.asp?username=guest&target=DOCUMENT&openparameter=2222

    At Computer Associates, we take every report of exposure with the utmost
    urgency, to ensure that no customer is left in a vulnerable situation.
    We have assigned this vulnerability the ID number 32054."

    VII. CVE INFORMATION

    The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
    names CAN-2004-1149 to these issues. This is a candidate for inclusion
    in the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for
    security problems.

    VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

    10/26/2004 Initial vendor notification
    10/29/2004 Initial vendor response
    12/15/2004 Coordinated public disclosure

    IX. CREDIT

    The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous.

    Get paid for vulnerability research
    http://www.idefense.com/poi/teams/vcp.jsp

    X. LEGAL NOTICES

    Copyright © 2004 iDEFENSE, Inc.

    Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert
    electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express
    written consent of iDEFENSE. If you wish to reprint the whole or any
    part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please
    email customerservice@idefense.com for permission.

    Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
    at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
    of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
    There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
    author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect,
    or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on,
    this information.

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