CVE-2007-0829 in Avast
Summary
by MITRE
avast! Server Edition before 4.7.726 does not demand a password in a certain intended context, even when a password has been set, which allows local users to bypass authentication requirements.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0829 affects avast! Server Edition versions prior to 4.7.726, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of the endpoint protection solution. This issue manifests when the software fails to enforce password requirements in specific operational contexts where authentication should be mandatory, creating a persistent security weakness that local attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the system. The flaw resides in the application's authentication logic implementation, where certain administrative functions or service operations do not properly validate user credentials despite the system being configured with password protection mechanisms. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and authentication requirements that are fundamental to secure system design, as outlined in security standards such as those referenced in CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through local user access to the system where avast! Server Edition is installed, allowing attackers to bypass the intended authentication controls without requiring valid credentials. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the software's access control implementation where the authentication subsystem does not properly enforce credential validation in specific operational contexts. This creates a persistent backdoor that enables unauthorized local users to perform administrative functions or access protected system resources without proper authorization. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it affects the core security functionality of the endpoint protection solution, potentially allowing attackers to disable security features, modify configuration settings, or gain elevated privileges within the system.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as it compromises the integrity and availability of the security infrastructure that organizations rely upon for endpoint protection. Local attackers who exploit this flaw can potentially disable antivirus scanning, modify security policies, or access sensitive system information that should remain protected. This vulnerability undermines the trust model of the security solution and can lead to more severe compromise scenarios where attackers use the bypassed access to pivot to other systems or escalate privileges further within the network. The impact is particularly significant in enterprise environments where avast! Server Edition is deployed to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data assets. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to system configurations, potential data exfiltration, and disruption of security monitoring capabilities, all of which fall under the attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment to upgrade avast! Server Edition to version 4.7.726 or later, which contains the necessary authentication enforcement fixes. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting local user access to the system, monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, and ensuring proper network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar authentication bypass issues in other security solutions. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the patched software to ensure that legitimate authentication requirements continue to function properly while addressing the specific bypass vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging controls to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures that account for this type of authentication failure. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication implementation and the need for continuous security validation of critical system components.