iDEFENSE Security Advisory 08.29.05: Symantec AntiVirus 9 Corporate Edition Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

From: iDEFENSE Labs (labs-no-reply_at_idefense.com)
Date: 08/29/05

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    Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 17:27:19 -0400
To: <bugtraq@securityfocus.com>, <vulnwatch@vulnwatch.org>, <full-disclosure@lists.grok.org.uk>

    Symantec AntiVirus 9 Corporate Edition Local Privilege Escalation
    Vulnerability

    iDEFENSE Security Advisory 08.29.05
    www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=298&type=vulnerabilities
    August 29, 2005

    I. BACKGROUND

    Symantec AntiVirus 9 Corporate Edition is an enterprise quality
    Anti-Virus solution for the Windows platform.

    More information can be found at the following location:

    http://enterprisesecurity.symantec.com/products/products.cfm?ProductID=1
    55

    II. DESCRIPTION

    Local exploitation of a design error in the Symantec AntiVirus 9
    Corporate Edition may allow a user to gain elevated privileges.
    Exploitation can occur when a user chooses the right click "Scan for
    viruses" option. The Symantec scan file interface allows the user to
    launch a help window through the use of a toolbar icon. If the user
    then right clicks the help window title bar they can choose the "Jump
    to URL" menu option, which will then allow them to browse the local
    file system and execute files as the SYSTEM user.

    This vulnerability is a re-appearance of an old bug formerly found in
    the Symantec 7.x series virus scan product.

    http://cert.uni-stuttgart.de/archive/bugtraq/2002/10/msg00357.html
    http://cert.uni-stuttgart.de/archive/bugtraq/2002/10/msg00379.html

    III. ANALYSIS

    Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary
    commands as the System Administrator user.

    IV. DETECTION

    iDEFENSE has confirmed this vulnerability exists in version 9.0.1.1000
    of Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition for Windows with all current
    updates applied. This is a re-appearance of an old bug that was
    reportedly fixed in versions 7.5.1 Build 62 and later, and version
    7.6.1 Build 35a.

    V. WORKAROUND

    iDEFENSE is currently unaware of any workaround for this issue.

    VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

    "Symantec engineers have verified this issue and corrected it in
    Maintenance Release (MR) 3 and all subsequent MRs and upgrades for
    Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition and Symantec Client Security."

    A vendor advisory for this issue is available at the following URL:

      http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/security/Content/2005.08.24.html

    VII. CVE INFORMATION

    The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
    name CAN-2005-2017 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
    the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for
    security problems.

    VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

    06/15/2005 Initial vendor notification
    06/15/2005 Initial vendor response
    08/29/2005 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

    Free tools, research and upcoming events
    http://labs.idefense.com

    X. LEGAL NOTICES

    Copyright (c) 2005 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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