CVE-2007-0333 in Outpost Firewall
Summary
by MITRE
Agnitum Outpost Firewall PRO 4.0 allows local users to bypass access restrictions and insert Trojan horse drivers into the product s installation directory by creating links using FileLinkInformation requests with the ZwSetInformationFile function, as demonstrated by modifying SandBox.sys.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0333 represents a critical access control flaw within Agnitum Outpost Firewall PRO version 4.0 that enables local attackers to circumvent security protections and potentially compromise system integrity. This weakness stems from improper handling of file link creation operations within the Windows kernel, specifically through the ZwSetInformationFile function that processes FileLinkInformation requests. The vulnerability exploits a fundamental flaw in the firewall product's installation directory security model, allowing malicious actors to manipulate driver installation processes and insert unauthorized code into the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the Windows Native API function ZwSetInformationFile to manipulate file link information, specifically targeting the FileLinkInformation class. When the firewall product processes these requests without proper validation, attackers can create symbolic links or hard links that point to sensitive system files within the installation directory. The demonstration case involving SandBox.sys illustrates how an attacker could manipulate the legitimate driver installation process to inject malicious code. This technique exploits the lack of proper access control validation during file link creation operations, allowing local users to effectively bypass the intended security boundaries of the firewall product.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-0333 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise through driver injection attacks. Local users who exploit this vulnerability gain the ability to install arbitrary Trojan horse drivers with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The attack vector specifically targets the installation directory where legitimate security software expects to maintain exclusive control, making this a particularly dangerous flaw for endpoint protection systems. This vulnerability effectively undermines the core security assumptions of the firewall product, as it allows attackers to subvert the very protection mechanisms designed to prevent unauthorized driver installation and system modification.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls in software systems, and represents a classic example of insufficient access control validation. The flaw demonstrates how security products themselves can become attack vectors when they fail to properly validate file operations, creating a dangerous paradox where the defender becomes the vulnerable component. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through file system manipulation, specifically targeting the 'File and Directory Permissions Modification' and 'Create or Modify System Process' tactics. Organizations running Agnitum Outpost Firewall PRO 4.0 should immediately implement mitigations including directory access control hardening, monitoring for unauthorized symbolic link creation, and applying vendor patches when available. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in security software, where defensive mechanisms must properly validate all system operations to prevent attackers from exploiting their own privilege escalation capabilities.