CVE-2000-0502 in VirusScan
Summary
by MITRE
Mcafee VirusScan 4.03 does not properly restrict access to the alert text file before it is sent to the Central Alert Server, which allows local users to modify alerts in an arbitrary fashion.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0502 represents a critical access control flaw within McAfee VirusScan 4.03 that compromises the integrity of security alert communications. This issue stems from inadequate file permission controls that fail to properly restrict access to alert text files during the transmission process to the Central Alert Server. The vulnerability specifically affects the security monitoring and alerting mechanisms of the antivirus solution, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to manipulate security notifications.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper implementation of file access controls where local users can modify alert data before it reaches the central server infrastructure. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability that allows unauthorized modification of security-critical information. The flaw operates at the file system level where the alert text files are not adequately protected from local user modification, creating a scenario where malicious users can alter the content of security alerts to either hide threats or create false positives that could confuse security operations teams.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly undermines the reliability and trustworthiness of the security monitoring system. Security administrators rely on accurate alert information to make informed decisions about system threats and response actions. When local users can modify these alerts, it creates a false sense of security or alternatively masks actual security incidents. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially hide malware infections by modifying alert content or to generate false alarms that could overwhelm security operations centers with irrelevant information.
The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation and defense evasion. Attackers can leverage this flaw to maintain persistence by modifying alert data to prevent detection of ongoing threats, or they can use it to disrupt security monitoring operations through false alert generation. The vulnerability also intersects with CWE-284 which describes improper access control, and CWE-310 which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in the context of data integrity protection. Organizations using McAfee VirusScan 4.03 face significant risk of undetected security incidents when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected McAfee VirusScan version to address the access control implementation flaw. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of alert file modifications and establish proper file permission controls to prevent unauthorized local access to alert data. Network segmentation and privileged access controls can help reduce the attack surface, while regular security audits should verify that alert integrity mechanisms remain functional. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls beyond the antivirus solution to provide redundant monitoring capabilities that are not vulnerable to the same access control flaws.