CVE-2004-2713 in ZoneAlarm
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Zone Alarm Pro 1.0 through 5.1 gives full access to %windir%\Internet Logs\* to the EVERYONE group, which allows local users to cause a denial of service by modifying the folder contents or permissions. NOTE: this issue has been disputed by the vendor, who claims that it does not affect product functionality since the same information is also saved in a protected file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2713 pertains to Zone Alarm Pro versions 1.0 through 5.1, representing a significant access control flaw that exposes sensitive system resources to unauthorized local users. This issue manifests through improper permission configuration where the %windir%\Internet Logs\* directory receives full access permissions for the EVERYONE group, creating an exploitable vector that undermines the security posture of the affected system. The vulnerability falls under the category of insecure permissions and privilege escalation, with potential implications for system integrity and availability.
The technical flaw involves the misconfiguration of file system permissions within the Windows operating environment, specifically targeting the internet logs directory that Zone Alarm Pro utilizes for storing network activity information. When the EVERYONE group is granted full access to these logs, local attackers can manipulate the contents or modify the permissions themselves, creating opportunities for malicious activity that could disrupt normal system operations. This misconfiguration represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and creates a persistent security weakness that remains active as long as the vulnerable software version is installed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential denial of service scenarios and information disclosure risks. Local users with minimal privileges can exploit this weakness to modify critical log files, potentially corrupting system monitoring data or altering access controls to affect system functionality. The ability to modify folder contents or permissions directly undermines the integrity of the logging mechanism that Zone Alarm Pro relies upon for network activity monitoring, creating a cascading effect that could compromise the software's ability to provide effective security protection. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions and inadequate access control mechanisms.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability represents a low-effort, high-impact vector that requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share the same system. The vendor's disputed position regarding the impact on product functionality appears to overlook the fundamental security implications of allowing unrestricted access to system logs, as these logs often contain sensitive information about network communications and system behavior. The assertion that information is also saved in protected files does not adequately address the core issue of permission misconfiguration that creates an attack surface for local privilege escalation and system disruption.
Effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate permission correction through manual intervention or automated patching processes. System administrators must ensure that the internet logs directory receives appropriate access controls that limit permissions to authorized users only, typically restricting access to administrators and the specific application processes that require log access. The implementation of proper access control lists and regular security audits can help prevent similar misconfigurations from occurring in other system components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system directories, providing early warning of potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining proper file system permissions and access controls as fundamental security measures that prevent unauthorized modifications to system-critical resources.