CVE-2004-0831 in VirusScan
Summary
by MITRE
McAfee VirusScan 4.5.1 does not drop SYSTEM privileges before allowing users to browse for files via the "System Scan" properties of the System Tray applet, which could allow local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2025
This vulnerability in McAfee VirusScan 4.5.1 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that exploits improper privilege handling within the system tray application's file browsing functionality. The vulnerability specifically affects the "System Scan" properties where the application fails to drop elevated SYSTEM privileges before initiating file selection dialogs, creating an exploitable condition that allows local users to potentially elevate their privileges to the system level. The flaw resides in the application's privilege management mechanism, where the software maintains elevated privileges during user interaction phases that should be executed with minimal necessary permissions. This design oversight creates a path for malicious local users to leverage the system tray interface to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing the operating system's security controls. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of the principle of least privilege, where applications should operate with the minimum permissions necessary for their function, particularly when handling user input or file operations. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-272, which addresses the weakness of insufficient privilege separation, and CWE-250, which covers the improper handling of privileges. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a persistent means of gaining system-level access, potentially enabling further malicious activities such as installing rootkits, modifying system files, or accessing sensitive data. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it leverages the legitimate system tray interface, making the exploitation less suspicious and more difficult to detect by security monitoring systems. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of privilege escalation opportunities, and T1548.002, which covers abuse of Windows admin privileges. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that the vulnerability exists in a commonly used security application, where users are likely to trust the interface and may not suspect malicious activity. The exploitation requires only local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations running this version of McAfee VirusScan face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring network access or complex attack vectors, making it a high-priority remediation target. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper privilege management in security applications and demonstrates how security tools themselves can become attack vectors if not properly designed with security principles in mind. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of their overall risk assessment, particularly in environments where privilege escalation attacks are a concern, and ensure that all security software components properly implement privilege separation mechanisms. The remediation approach should focus on updating to patched versions of McAfee VirusScan or implementing compensating controls such as restricting access to the system tray interface and monitoring for unusual privilege escalation activities.