CVE-2004-2006 in OfficeScan
Summary
by MITRE
Trend Micro OfficeScan 3.0 - 6.0 has default permissions of "Everyone Full Control" on the installation directory and registry keys, which allows local users to disable virus protection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2006 represents a critical security flaw in Trend Micro OfficeScan versions 3.0 through 6.0 that stems from improper access control configuration during the installation process. This issue exposes fundamental weaknesses in the software's security design by granting excessive privileges to all local users through default permissions settings. The affected system components include both the installation directory and registry keys that are essential for the antivirus software's operation and configuration. This configuration creates a persistent security risk that undermines the core purpose of endpoint protection software.
The technical flaw manifests as a default security misconfiguration where the installation directory and registry keys are assigned "Everyone Full Control" permissions. This permission model allows any local user account, regardless of administrative status or user role, to gain complete control over the OfficeScan installation. The vulnerability specifically enables local users to modify or delete critical system files and registry entries that govern the antivirus protection mechanisms. This access control failure directly violates the principle of least privilege and creates an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise system security. The flaw operates at the operating system level through Windows file system and registry permission controls, making it particularly dangerous due to its persistence across system sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it allows local users to effectively disable or compromise the antivirus protection entirely. An attacker with local access can manipulate the registry entries that control OfficeScan's operation, potentially disabling real-time protection, modifying scan schedules, or removing critical security components. This capability undermines the entire security posture of systems running affected OfficeScan versions, as the primary defense mechanism becomes vulnerable to local manipulation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects systems where users may have legitimate access but lack proper security clearance, creating a scenario where authorized personnel could inadvertently or maliciously compromise system integrity. This issue directly aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and represents a classic example of inadequate access control implementation in security software.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper access control measures on the affected OfficeScan installation directories and registry keys. System administrators must explicitly modify the default permissions to restrict access to only authorized users or service accounts that require administrative privileges for legitimate maintenance activities. The recommended approach involves removing the "Everyone Full Control" permissions and implementing role-based access controls that align with the principle of least privilege. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify all instances of this vulnerability across their network infrastructure and ensure proper patching procedures are followed. This remediation effort should include implementing configuration management practices that prevent such default permission configurations from occurring in the future, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques. Organizations must also consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized modifications to antivirus configuration files and registry entries. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper security hardening practices and highlights the need for regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses in enterprise security solutions.