CVE-2005-2759 in norton antivirus
Summary
by MITRE
** split ** the jlucaller program in liveupdate for symantec norton antivirus 9.0.3 on macintosh runs setuid when executing java programs which allows local users to gain privileges. note: due to a cna error this candidate was also originally assigned to an issue in diskmountnotify. use cve-2005-3270 for the diskmountnotify issue and cve-2005-2759 for the liveupdate issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2759 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Symantec Norton Antivirus 9.0.3 for Macintosh systems. This issue specifically affects the jlucaller program component that is part of the liveupdate functionality. The vulnerability stems from improper privilege management where the jlucaller program executes java applications with setuid privileges, creating an exploitable condition that allows local attackers to escalate their system access level. This flaw falls under the category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities, specifically classified as CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management, which is a fundamental weakness in access control mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the jlucaller program maintaining elevated privileges through setuid execution when launching java processes, which is an insecure practice that directly violates security best practices for privilege management. When local users can manipulate the execution environment of this setuid program, they gain the ability to execute code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing normal user restrictions. This creates a significant attack surface where malicious users can leverage this condition to gain root access or perform actions typically restricted to administrative users. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security design principles where unnecessary privilege elevation occurs without proper input validation or access control enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for any Macintosh system running Symantec Norton Antivirus 9.0.3, as local attackers can exploit this condition to gain unauthorized administrative access. This compromise allows attackers to modify system files, install malicious software, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the affected system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no network connectivity or remote exploitation, making it a local privilege escalation issue that can be exploited by any user with access to the system. The attack vector is straightforward, involving manipulation of the java execution environment or direct invocation of the vulnerable program, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 Privilege Escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through the installation of Symantec's official security patches and updates. System administrators should ensure that all affected systems are updated to versions that properly address the setuid privilege management issue. Additionally, security monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized execution of setuid programs, as this vulnerability could be exploited in conjunction with other attack techniques. The fix should involve removing unnecessary setuid permissions from the jlucaller program and implementing proper privilege separation mechanisms. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any other setuid programs that may present similar vulnerabilities, as this represents a broader class of security issues that require comprehensive remediation across all system components.