CVE-2006-4886 in VirusScan Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
The VirusScan On-Access Scan component in McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 7.1.0 and Scan Engine 4.4.00 allows local privileged users to bypass security restrictions and disable the On-Access Scan option by opening the program via the task bar and quickly clicking the Disable button, possibly due to an interface-related race condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4886 represents a critical security flaw in McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 7.1.0 and Scan Engine 4.4.00 that exploits a race condition within the On-Access Scan component. This vulnerability specifically targets the user interface interaction process where local privileged users can manipulate the security controls through a timing-based attack. The flaw occurs during the program execution lifecycle when the interface fails to properly validate user actions, creating a window of opportunity for unauthorized modification of security settings.
This security issue stems from inadequate input validation and race condition handling within the graphical user interface components of the antivirus software. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-362, which specifically addresses Race Conditions, and falls within the broader category of CWE-284, which covers improper access control mechanisms. The attack vector involves a local privileged user who can leverage their elevated privileges to interfere with the normal operation of the security software by manipulating the interface controls during program startup.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows malicious users with local access to effectively disable critical real-time protection mechanisms. When the On-Access Scan is disabled, the system becomes vulnerable to malware infections that would normally be detected and blocked in real-time. This creates a persistent security risk where the antivirus solution's primary defense mechanism is rendered ineffective, potentially allowing various malware families to execute undetected on the compromised system. The vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental purpose of the antivirus software by allowing unauthorized modification of its core protection features.
The attack methodology relies on the timing aspect of user interface interaction, where a user can quickly click the Disable button immediately after launching the program through the task bar. This approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which involves executing malicious code through command-line interfaces, and T1566.001, which covers spearphishing through social engineering. The vulnerability demonstrates how interface design flaws can create security risks that bypass traditional access control mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local privileged users may have malicious intent. Organizations should implement proper access controls and regularly update security software to prevent exploitation of such timing-based vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected McAfee products to address the race condition in the user interface components. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized changes to antivirus configuration settings and establish strict access controls for privileged accounts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in GUI applications and demonstrates why security testing should include timing-based attack scenarios. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-based security controls as defense-in-depth measures, since the compromise of endpoint security software represents a significant risk to overall network security posture.