CVE-2006-4802 in Client Security
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in the Real Time Virus Scan service in Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 8.1 up to 10.0, and Client Security 1.x up to 3.0, allows local users to execute arbitrary code via an unspecified vector related to alert notification messages, a different vector than CVE-2006-3454, a "second format string vulnerability" as found by the vendor.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4802 represents a format string vulnerability within Symantec's Real Time Virus Scan service component of their AntiVirus Corporate Edition and Client Security products. This security flaw exists in versions ranging from 8.1 through 10.0 of the corporate edition and 1.x through 3.0 of the client security suite, creating a persistent risk across multiple product iterations. The vulnerability specifically manifests within the alert notification message handling mechanism, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input before processing format specifiers. This issue constitutes a second format string vulnerability discovered by Symantec itself, distinguishing it from the previously identified CVE-2006-3454 which addressed a different vector of exploitation. The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-134, which categorizes format string vulnerabilities as weaknesses in software that improperly handles format strings, potentially leading to information disclosure, denial of service, or arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly within enterprise environments where Symantec's antivirus solutions are deployed, as local users with limited system privileges can potentially escalate their access through this vector. The exploitation mechanism leverages the improper handling of alert notification messages, which typically contain dynamic content generated from user inputs or system events. Attackers can craft malicious input that includes format specifiers such as %x, %s, or %n, which when processed by the vulnerable service can result in memory corruption, stack manipulation, or direct code execution. This vulnerability particularly threatens organizations using older versions of Symantec products, as these systems likely lack the security hardening measures that would be present in updated versions. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall under privilege escalation techniques, specifically leveraging software vulnerabilities to gain elevated system privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4802 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Symantec, as this vulnerability represents a critical security risk that can be exploited by local attackers. Organizations must ensure that all affected systems are updated to versions that address the format string handling in the Real Time Virus Scan service component. System administrators should implement additional monitoring for unusual alert notification patterns and consider restricting local user privileges where possible to minimize the attack surface. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple product versions underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential exploitation pathways, while establishing incident response procedures specifically addressing format string vulnerabilities in endpoint protection systems. Additionally, organizations should review their overall security posture and ensure that legacy software components are properly managed or migrated to supported versions to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining unpatched.