CVE-2005-3360 in PC-Cillin Internet Security 2005
Summary
by MITRE
The installation of Trend Micro PC-Cillin Internet Security 2005 12.00 build 1244, and probably previous versions, uses insecure default ACLs, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (disabled service) and gain system privileges by modifying or moving critical program files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3360 represents a critical security flaw in Trend Micro PC-Cillin Internet Security 2005 version 12.00 build 1244 and potentially earlier iterations. This issue stems from the software's installation process which establishes insecure default access control lists that fail to properly restrict file system permissions. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in privilege management and file system security controls that directly impacts the overall security posture of systems running this antivirus solution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of critical program files that are protected by inadequate default access control lists. When the antivirus software installs without proper permission restrictions, local users can exploit this weakness to either modify or relocate essential system files. This exploitation path creates a privilege escalation scenario where standard users can gain elevated system privileges typically restricted to administrators or system processes. The insecure default ACLs essentially provide unauthorized access to critical system components that should remain protected from modification by non-privileged users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential denial of service conditions that can disable critical security services. When local users can modify or move core program files, they effectively compromise the integrity of the antivirus protection mechanism itself. This creates a scenario where the very security tool designed to protect the system becomes vulnerable to manipulation, potentially allowing attackers to disable security features or corrupt essential components. The consequence is that systems running affected versions of PC-Cillin Internet Security become increasingly susceptible to malware infections and other security threats.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and represents a classic example of inadequate access control implementation in security software. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this issue maps to privilege escalation techniques and defense evasion methods where adversaries manipulate system components to gain elevated privileges. The flaw also intersects with credential access and defense evasion tactics, as it allows attackers to bypass normal security controls and potentially maintain persistence within compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate implementation of proper file system permissions and access controls. System administrators must ensure that critical program files are protected with restrictive ACLs that prevent unauthorized modification or movement by local users. The recommended approach includes applying immediate security patches from Trend Micro, implementing proper file permission configurations, and conducting comprehensive security audits to identify and remediate similar issues in other installed software components. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file modifications and establish regular security assessments to identify potential access control weaknesses in their security infrastructure.