CVE-2005-3198 in desktop firewall
Summary
by MITRE
webroot desktop firewall before 1.3.0build52 allows local users to disable the firewall even when password protection is enabled via certain deviceiocontrol commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3198 affects webroot desktop firewall software versions prior to 1.3.0build52, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of endpoint protection systems. This issue stems from improper privilege validation within the deviceiocontrol command processing mechanism, allowing local attackers to bypass authentication controls that should prevent unauthorized modification of firewall settings. The vulnerability specifically targets the software's implementation of access control checks during device I/O operations, creating a path for privilege escalation that directly compromises the integrity of the firewall protection layer.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of deviceiocontrol commands, which are typically used for low-level communication with system devices and drivers. In affected versions, the firewall software fails to properly validate whether the calling process possesses sufficient privileges before executing commands that modify firewall state. This design flaw enables local users to issue deviceiocontrol requests that would normally require administrative authentication, effectively allowing them to disable firewall protection without proper authorization. The vulnerability falls under CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, specifically targeting inadequate privilege validation in system-level operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows local attackers to completely disable firewall protection on affected systems, potentially exposing them to network-based attacks and unauthorized access. Since the vulnerability operates at the device driver level and leverages legitimate system interfaces, detection becomes challenging for traditional security monitoring tools. An attacker could exploit this weakness to disable firewall protection, potentially in conjunction with other attack vectors, creating a comprehensive compromise of endpoint security. The flaw also represents a violation of the principle of least privilege, as it allows users with minimal system access to perform administrative-level operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates to version 1.3.0build52 or later, which contain proper access control validation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement comprehensive endpoint protection policies that monitor for unauthorized firewall modifications and establish strict access controls for system-level operations. Security administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected software versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The remediation process should include verification that deviceiocontrol commands properly validate caller privileges and that access controls are enforced at the kernel level to prevent similar issues in other security software components. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege validation in security-critical system components and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local system exploitation.