CVE-2006-0232 in Antivirus Scan Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Scan Engine 5.0.0.24, and possibly other versions before 5.1.0.7, stores sensitive log and virus definition files under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain the information via direct requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0232 affects Symantec Scan Engine version 5.0.0.24 and potentially other versions prior to 5.1.0.7, representing a critical security flaw in the software's file access control mechanisms. This issue stems from improper configuration of sensitive data storage locations within the web root directory structure, creating an exploitable condition that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control. The flaw manifests when sensitive log files and virus definition files are stored in web-accessible directories without adequate authorization controls, allowing unauthorized remote access to critical system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web server's configuration where security-sensitive files are placed in directories that are directly accessible via HTTP requests. When the Scan Engine stores virus definitions and log files within the web root, these files become accessible through standard web browsing mechanisms without proper authentication or authorization checks. This misconfiguration creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive information through simple HTTP GET requests or similar web-based access methods. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, specifically focusing on inadequate access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to critical system intelligence including virus definitions and system logs that could be used to develop targeted attacks or evade detection. Attackers can obtain detailed information about the system's security posture, including current virus definitions, scan results, and potentially sensitive operational data that could aid in crafting more sophisticated attacks. This information disclosure can be leveraged for further exploitation activities and represents a significant risk to the overall security of systems running vulnerable versions of Symantec Scan Engine. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering file and directory permissions, and T1566, related to credential access through information discovery.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through proper configuration of the web server and file access controls. Organizations should ensure that sensitive files are stored outside of web-accessible directories and implement proper access controls using authentication mechanisms and authorization checks. The recommended solution involves upgrading to Symantec Scan Engine version 5.1.0.7 or later, which addresses this specific access control flaw. Additionally, security administrators should implement regular security audits to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations in web server environments. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to sensitive system components, while monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices for web application configuration and demonstrates the critical need for proper file access control implementation in enterprise security solutions.