CVE-2005-4069 in mediamax drm
Summary
by MITRE
sunncomm mediamax drm 5.0.21.0 as used by sony bmg assigns insecure everyone/full control permissions to the "sunncomm shared" directory which allows local users to gain privileges by modifying programs installed in that directory such as mmx.exe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4069 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Sony BMG Sunncomm MediaMax DRM 5.0.21.0 implementation. This issue specifically affects the Windows-based digital rights management system that was widely distributed with Sony BMG music CDs during the mid-2000s era. The vulnerability stems from improper access control configuration where the system assigns overly permissive permissions to a shared directory structure, creating a fundamental security weakness that can be exploited by local attackers to elevate their system privileges.
The technical flaw manifests in the insecure permission assignment to the "sunncomm shared" directory, which grants the Everyone group full control permissions. This configuration violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and principle of least authority, as defined by CWE-276. The vulnerability specifically allows local users to modify executable files within this directory, including the mmx.exe program that serves as a core component of the MediaMax DRM system. This permission structure essentially provides attackers with the ability to replace legitimate executables with malicious binaries, enabling arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a complete breakdown in the security model of the DRM system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to modify system components that are typically protected from unauthorized changes, effectively bypassing the intended security controls of the MediaMax DRM implementation. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to modify core system executables that are trusted by the operating system, potentially enabling persistent backdoor access or system compromise. The attack vector is straightforward requiring only local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access or initial compromise is possible.
From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to privilege escalation techniques under T1068, where adversaries exploit weaknesses in access control mechanisms to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability also relates to T1547.001 for registry run keys and T1059 for execution through command-line interfaces, as attackers can leverage the modified executables to maintain persistence or execute additional malicious payloads. The weakness directly violates security standards such as those outlined in ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST SP 800-53, which emphasize proper access control and privilege management. Mitigation strategies should include immediate removal of the vulnerable MediaMax DRM software, implementation of proper access control lists on shared directories, and enforcement of least privilege principles for all system components. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive security audits to identify similar permission misconfigurations across the enterprise environment, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader security configuration issues that may affect other system components.