CVE-2006-0812 in AntiVirus
Summary
by MITRE
The VisNetic AntiVirus Plug-in (DKAVUpSch.exe) for Mail Server 4.6.0.4, 4.6.1.1, and possibly other versions before 4.6.1.2, does not drop privileges before executing other programs, which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0812 affects the VisNetic AntiVirus Plug-in component known as DKAVUpSch.exe within the Mail Server software version 4.6.0.4, 4.6.1.1, and potentially other versions prior to 4.6.1.2. This issue represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that stems from improper privilege management during program execution. The vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation attacks and can be classified as a CWE-276, specifically indicating incorrect permissions for critical resources, or potentially CWE-782 if it involves improper privilege management in a specific context. The root cause lies in the failure of the DKAVUpSch.exe process to properly drop elevated privileges before invoking external programs, creating an exploitable condition that local attackers can leverage.
The technical flaw manifests when the VisNetic AntiVirus Plug-in executes external processes without reducing its privilege level, maintaining elevated access throughout the execution cycle. This behavior creates a dangerous operational environment where malicious code can be executed with administrative or system-level privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows local users to escalate their privileges from standard user level to higher privilege levels, potentially gaining access to system resources, files, and capabilities that should be restricted. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability can be exploited through the ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting a legitimate process to gain elevated privileges. The attack vector typically involves a local user who can manipulate the execution environment of the vulnerable plug-in to execute malicious code with elevated permissions.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to data exfiltration, system modification, persistence establishment, and lateral movement within the network. The affected Mail Server versions present a significant security risk because they operate in environments where email security is paramount, making any privilege escalation vulnerability particularly dangerous. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face potential compromise of their email infrastructure and associated data. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation and persistence, as attackers can use the elevated privileges to maintain access and expand their control over the system. The lack of privilege dropping mechanism in the DKAVUpSch.exe process creates a direct pathway for attackers to exploit the system's trust relationships and execute malicious payloads with elevated privileges.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrade to VisNetic Mail Server version 4.6.1.2 or later, which addresses this privilege escalation vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including privilege separation, process monitoring, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation. Organizations should conduct vulnerability scans to identify all instances of the vulnerable software and apply patches as soon as possible. The remediation approach should align with industry best practices for privilege management and should include proper access control mechanisms to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through log analysis and implement network-based detection measures to identify potential abuse of this vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege management in security software components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all system components that handle elevated privileges.