CVE-2001-1144 in ASaP Virusscan
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in McAfee ASaP VirusScan agent 1.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1144 represents a classic directory traversal flaw that affected McAfee ASaP VirusScan agent version 1.0. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation within the HTTP request processing mechanism of the antivirus agent, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can manipulate file access paths through specially crafted requests containing directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the agent processes HTTP requests that include double dot sequences or similar path manipulation techniques, allowing unauthorized access to files outside the intended directory structure.
This directory traversal vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw enables attackers to navigate through the file system hierarchy by using sequences like ../ or ..\ to move up directories and access files that should remain protected. The McAfee ASaP VirusScan agent operates as a network-based security component that processes HTTP requests to deliver virus scanning capabilities, making it a prime target for remote exploitation. When an attacker crafts an HTTP request containing directory traversal sequences, the agent fails to properly validate the requested file paths, allowing the attacker to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive files from the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant, particularly in enterprise environments where antivirus agents often run with elevated privileges and have access to sensitive system files. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to access configuration files, system logs, user data, and potentially critical system information without authentication. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or physical presence to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous for networked environments. In the context of the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the T1083 technique for discovering file and directory permissions, and potentially to T1566 for initial access through web applications, as the attack vector involves manipulating HTTP requests to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal sophistication and can be automated using standard web exploitation tools. Attackers typically construct HTTP requests containing sequences like ../../etc/passwd or similar path traversal patterns to access sensitive files on the target system. The vulnerability affects systems running McAfee ASaP VirusScan agent version 1.0, which was part of the broader McAfee antivirus ecosystem designed for enterprise network security. Organizations using this specific version of the agent faced a critical security risk as the vulnerability could be exploited from any location with network access to the affected system, making it particularly concerning for organizations with exposed web services or network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1144 focus on immediate patching and configuration hardening. The primary solution involves upgrading to a patched version of the McAfee ASaP VirusScan agent that properly validates and sanitizes HTTP request parameters. Organizations should implement input validation controls that reject or filter out directory traversal sequences from HTTP requests before they are processed by the agent. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to the affected agent, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters. Additionally, monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious HTTP request patterns that might indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Security configurations should enforce proper file system permissions and access controls to limit the potential damage even if the vulnerability is exploited. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the patched software to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the security vulnerability is properly addressed.