CVE-2005-2144 in prevx pro
Summary
by MITRE
prevx pro 2005 1.0 allows local users to bypass file protection and modify files by using mapviewoffile to perform memory mapping on the file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2144 affects prevx pro 2005 1.0, a file protection software designed to secure sensitive data through access controls and file-level protection mechanisms. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the software's implementation of file access controls, specifically within its memory mapping operations. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of file protection mechanisms when local users exploit the mapviewoffile function to perform memory mapping on protected files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of Windows API functions, specifically leveraging the MapViewOfFile function to create memory mappings of protected files. This approach allows attackers to bypass the intended file protection mechanisms by directly accessing file contents through memory rather than through the standard file system interfaces that should enforce access controls. The flaw exists because the software fails to properly validate or restrict memory mapping operations on files that are supposed to be protected, creating a pathway for unauthorized modification of protected data. This represents a classic case of inadequate access control implementation where the protection boundaries are circumvented through low-level system interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on prevx pro 2005 1.0 for file security. Local users with minimal privileges can effectively bypass all file protection measures implemented by the software, potentially leading to data corruption, unauthorized modification of critical files, or complete compromise of sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level through memory mapping operations, making detection and prevention more challenging. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the software's security architecture to properly enforce file access controls.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software implementations, and represents a clear example of how inadequate protection mechanisms can be circumvented through system-level exploitation techniques. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under privilege escalation techniques, specifically leveraging system APIs to bypass application-level security controls. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the vulnerable software, applying patches if available, and monitoring for unauthorized memory mapping operations on protected files. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in security software implementations, particularly when dealing with low-level system operations that can bypass traditional security boundaries.