CVE-2007-0655 in eScan
Summary
by MITRE
The MicroWorld Agent service (MWAGENT.EXE) in MicroWorld Technologies eScan 8.0.671.1, and possibly other versions, allows remote or local attackers to gain privileges and execute arbitrary commands by connecting directly to TCP port 2222.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0655 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the MicroWorld Agent service component of eScan antivirus software version 8.0.671.1 and potentially other iterations. This security weakness stems from improper access controls and authentication mechanisms implemented within the MWAGENT.EXE service process, which operates on TCP port 2222. The service's design fails to adequately validate incoming connections, creating an exploitable entry point that adversaries can leverage to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. This particular vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the software's security architecture where a service intended for legitimate system protection becomes a vector for unauthorized access and command execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the MicroWorld Agent service listening on TCP port 2222 without proper authentication mechanisms or access control validation. Attackers can connect directly to this port and potentially bypass normal authentication procedures, allowing them to send commands that the service executes with the privileges of the account running the MWAGENT.EXE process. This typically means the service operates with elevated system privileges, potentially as a local administrator or system account. The flaw creates an unauthenticated command execution channel that can be exploited from both local and remote positions, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the service might be accessible from external networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks in network services.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-0655 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise potential. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system with the privileges of the service account, which often includes administrative rights. This can result in full system takeover, data exfiltration, installation of additional malware, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects organizations using eScan antivirus software, potentially exposing them to advanced persistent threats or lateral movement attacks within their networks. The remote exploit capability makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where the service might be accessible across network boundaries, and the local exploit capability means that even isolated systems can be compromised. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1068, which addresses exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0655 should focus on immediate service hardening and network segmentation approaches. Organizations should immediately disable or remove the vulnerable MWAGENT.EXE service if it is not essential for operations, or implement strict network access controls to prevent unauthorized access to TCP port 2222. Network administrators should configure firewalls to block external access to this port while ensuring internal access is properly authenticated and authorized. The recommended approach includes applying vendor patches or updates as soon as they become available, though in this specific case, the vulnerability affects older versions where vendor support may be limited. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual connections to port 2222 and establish proper access control lists to restrict who can connect to the service. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing the principle of least privilege by running the service with minimal required permissions rather than administrative privileges, and conducting regular security audits to identify and remediate similar access control vulnerabilities in other system components.