CVE-2000-0119 in Norton Antivirus
Summary
by MITRE
The default configurations for McAfee Virus Scan and Norton Anti-Virus virus checkers do not check files in the RECYCLED folder that is used by the Windows Recycle Bin utility, which allows attackers to store malicious code without detection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
This vulnerability resides in the default security configurations of two widely deployed antivirus solutions, McAfee Virus Scan and Norton Anti-Virus, which fail to scan files located within the Windows Recycle Bin's RECYCLED folder. The issue stems from the assumption that deleted files in the Recycle Bin represent temporary storage that does not require security scanning, creating a critical blind spot in endpoint protection. The Windows Recycle Bin utility maintains a dedicated RECYCLED folder structure that stores deleted files until permanent removal occurs, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to bypass security controls. This flaw represents a fundamental misconfiguration in antivirus product design where the security solution does not account for the potential threat vectors present in system utility folders that are commonly overlooked during routine scanning operations. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-254, which addresses security weaknesses in the default security configuration of a system, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.004 for Indicator Removal on Host, as malicious code can persist in these locations without detection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental gap between the operating system's file management structure and the antivirus solution's scanning policies. When users delete files from their systems, these files are moved to the Recycle Bin's RECYCLED folder where they remain accessible to the operating system but are excluded from standard antivirus scanning routines. Attackers can leverage this configuration gap by placing malicious executables, scripts, or other harmful code within the Recycle Bin, knowing that these files will not be scanned during routine antivirus operations. The vulnerability persists because the antivirus products do not implement recursive scanning of all system folders, including those used by Windows utility functions. This behavior creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited to maintain malware persistence, establish backdoors, or deploy additional malicious payloads without triggering security alerts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple evasion of antivirus detection, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems running affected antivirus solutions. Organizations using these products face significant risk of undetected malware deployment, particularly in environments where users frequently delete files or where attackers have gained initial access through other vectors. The vulnerability enables attackers to maintain persistence by storing malicious code in locations that are not routinely scanned, allowing for extended operational windows without detection. This creates a scenario where security teams may believe their systems are protected when in fact they are vulnerable to attacks that exploit this default configuration. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where multiple users interact with the system, as it provides attackers with multiple potential entry points through the Recycle Bin functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate configuration changes and long-term security policy updates. Organizations should modify their antivirus scanning policies to include recursive scanning of all system folders, particularly those used by Windows utility functions such as the Recycle Bin. This configuration change should be implemented across all affected systems and monitored to ensure compliance. The solution involves updating the antivirus product settings to disable the exclusion of system utility folders from scanning, which directly addresses the root cause of the vulnerability. Additionally, security policies should be established to regularly audit antivirus configurations and ensure that default settings are not left in potentially insecure states. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect unusual activity in system utility folders, providing additional layers of defense beyond traditional antivirus scanning. This approach aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for system configuration management and access control.