CVE-2006-3540 in Zonealarm Security Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Check Point Zone Labs ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6.5.722.000, 6.1.737.000, and possibly other versions do not properly validate RegSaveKey, RegRestoreKey, and RegDeleteKey function calls, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a certain combination of these function calls with an HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VETFDDNT\Enum argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3540 affects Check Point Zone Labs ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite versions 6.5.722.000 and 6.1.737.000, along with potentially other versions in the product line. This issue represents a critical flaw in the software's handling of Windows registry operations, specifically within the registry function validation mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the RegSaveKey, RegRestoreKey, and RegDeleteKey Windows API functions when invoked by the security suite, creating a pathway for exploitation that can lead to system instability.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation of registry function calls, particularly when these functions are executed against the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VETFDDNT\Enum registry key path. This specific registry location is part of the Windows service configuration and device enumeration system, making it a sensitive target for manipulation. When local users execute certain combinations of the vulnerable registry functions against this particular registry key, the software fails to properly sanitize or validate the inputs, leading to a buffer overflow condition or invalid memory access that ultimately results in system crash. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, though the specific implementation involves registry manipulation rather than traditional buffer overflows.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows local users to execute a denial of service attack against the targeted system. Since the vulnerability requires local system access to exploit, it cannot be used for remote attacks, but it represents a serious security risk in environments where local access is possible or where privilege escalation is already achieved. The system crash resulting from exploitation can lead to complete system unavailability, requiring manual restart and potentially causing data loss or service interruption. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad and can be leveraged as part of a broader attack strategy to disrupt services or hide other malicious activities within the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application from Check Point, as this represents a known issue that has been addressed through software updates. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting local access to systems running ZoneAlarm, implementing proper access controls, and monitoring for unusual registry activity patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in security software and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Windows Registry manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing registry monitoring tools and establishing baseline registry states to detect unauthorized modifications that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for similar registry validation issues in other security software products to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the environment.