CVE-2005-2582 in Kaspersky Anti-Virus
Summary
by MITRE
Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Unix/Linux File Servers 5.0-5 uses world-writable permissions for the (1) log and (2) license directory, which allows local users to delete log files, append to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on kavmonitor.log, or delete license keys and prevent keepup2date from properly executing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2582 represents a critical privilege escalation and data integrity issue within Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Unix/Linux File Servers version 5.0-5. This flaw stems from improper permission settings on critical system directories that are essential for the antivirus software's operation. The affected directories include both the log directory and the license directory, which are configured with world-writable permissions, creating a significant security exposure for systems running this particular antivirus solution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows local attackers to exploit the world-writable permissions through multiple attack vectors that directly compromise system security and software functionality. When the log directory is world-writable, malicious users can delete existing log files, potentially obscuring malicious activities or disrupting forensic analysis capabilities. Additionally, the vulnerability enables attackers to perform symlink attacks against kavmonitor.log, allowing them to append content to arbitrary files on the system. This symlink attack capability represents a classic example of a race condition vulnerability where an attacker can manipulate file operations through symbolic links to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation to potentially prevent critical system maintenance functions from executing properly. When license directory permissions are world-writable, attackers can delete license keys which directly prevents the keepup2date functionality from working correctly. This disruption prevents the antivirus software from receiving critical updates, leaving systems vulnerable to newly discovered threats. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where automated updates are crucial for maintaining security posture and where the compromise of license files could result in complete loss of antivirus protection for extended periods.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which specifically addresses situations where critical system resources are assigned incorrect permissions that allow unauthorized access or modification. The flaw also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.001: Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and T1486: Data Encrypted for Impact, as attackers could use this vulnerability to disrupt system operations and potentially escalate privileges. The attack surface is particularly concerning for Unix and Linux environments where local users may have legitimate access to systems but should not possess the ability to modify critical security infrastructure components.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including correcting directory permissions to remove world-writable access for both log and license directories, ensuring that only authorized system processes and administrators can modify these critical resources. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unauthorized modifications to these directories and establish regular permission audits to detect similar issues across other security software installations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of principle of least privilege and proper file system permissions in maintaining system integrity, particularly for security-critical applications that handle sensitive operational data and system configuration files.