CVE-2004-2622 in Deployment Server Extension For Ibm Director
Summary
by MITRE
AClient.exe in Altiris Deployment Solution 6.x and 5.x does not require authentication from the first Deployment Server that it connects to, which allows remote malicious servers to gain administrator access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2622 affects the Altiris Deployment Solution versions 5.x and 6.x, specifically targeting the AClient.exe component that handles client-server communications during deployment operations. This flaw represents a critical authentication bypass issue that fundamentally undermines the security model of the deployment solution. The vulnerability occurs during the initial connection phase when the client executable fails to enforce proper authentication mechanisms against the first deployment server it encounters, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of mandatory authentication verification within the client-server handshake process. When AClient.exe establishes its first connection to a deployment server, it does not validate the server's identity or credentials before proceeding with deployment operations. This design flaw allows an attacker to position a malicious server within the network and trick the client into connecting to it instead of the legitimate deployment server. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and represents a classic case of trust misplacement where the client blindly accepts the first server it encounters without proper verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching within enterprise environments that utilize Altiris Deployment Solution for managing software deployments and system configurations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain full administrative access to the compromised client systems, enabling them to execute arbitrary code, install malicious software, modify system configurations, and potentially escalate privileges throughout the network. This access can be leveraged to compromise entire deployment infrastructures, as the attacker can manipulate deployment packages, modify client configurations, and gain persistent access to multiple systems. The vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor that allows attackers to bypass the normal security controls and authentication mechanisms that should protect enterprise deployment environments.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of Altiris Deployment Solution face significant risk from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where network segmentation is insufficient or where attackers have access to internal network resources. The attack vector is relatively straightforward, requiring only the ability to position a malicious server within the network and wait for client systems to connect to it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where deployment clients are frequently connecting to various servers or where network access controls are weak. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for lateral movement and privilege escalation within target networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2622 should prioritize immediate implementation of network segmentation controls to limit the ability of malicious servers to intercept client connections. Organizations should implement strict network access controls and firewall rules that restrict communication between deployment clients and servers to only trusted network segments. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of the Altiris Deployment Solution that properly enforce authentication mechanisms for all server connections. Additional protective measures include implementing network monitoring to detect unusual connection patterns, deploying endpoint protection solutions to detect malicious server activities, and establishing robust network access controls that prevent unauthorized server placement within the deployment environment. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of their deployment infrastructure to identify and remediate any other potential authentication bypass vulnerabilities that may exist within their deployment management systems.