CVE-2007-1009 in InstallAnywhere Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
Macrovision InstallAnywhere Enterprise before 8.0.1 uses the InstallScript.iap_xml configuration file without integrity protection to verify authorization for installing an application, which allows local users to perform unauthorized installations by removing the (1) password or (2) serial number verification sections from this file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1009 represents a critical security flaw in Macrovision InstallAnywhere Enterprise version 8.0.1 and earlier, which operates under the broader category of software installation and deployment security issues. This vulnerability stems from the absence of proper integrity protection mechanisms within the InstallScript.iap_xml configuration file, a critical component responsible for validating authorization status during application installation processes. The flaw enables local attackers to bypass legitimate authentication checks by simply modifying or removing specific sections of this configuration file, thereby undermining the fundamental security controls designed to prevent unauthorized software deployment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of XML-based configuration files that contain verification parameters essential for legitimate software installation. When InstallAnywhere Enterprise processes the InstallScript.iap_xml file, it relies on embedded password and serial number verification sections to authenticate installation requests. However, the absence of cryptographic integrity checks or validation mechanisms means that any local user with sufficient privileges can directly edit this file to strip out the authentication requirements. This represents a classic case of weak input validation and insufficient access control measures, where the system fails to properly verify the integrity of its own configuration data before executing critical operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations deploying software through the InstallAnywhere platform, as it effectively removes the authentication barrier that was intended to prevent unauthorized installations. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it allows malicious actors or compromised users to install unauthorized software versions, potentially introducing backdoors, malware, or other security threats into the target environment. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-345 Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity, which specifically addresses situations where systems fail to properly validate the integrity of data used for security decisions. The local nature of the attack means that it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user accounts may be compromised or where privilege separation is not properly enforced.
The security implications of this vulnerability can be analyzed through the lens of MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can effectively bypass software protection mechanisms, which falls under the category of software installation and deployment manipulation. This type of vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of secure configuration management and the principle of least privilege, as it shows how a single weak point in the authorization system can compromise an entire software deployment pipeline. Organizations utilizing InstallAnywhere Enterprise systems should consider implementing additional monitoring and integrity verification mechanisms to detect unauthorized modifications to critical configuration files, as well as ensuring that proper access controls are in place to limit who can modify these sensitive files.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability primarily involves upgrading to InstallAnywhere Enterprise version 8.0.1 or later, which includes proper integrity protection mechanisms for the InstallScript.iap_xml configuration file. Additionally, system administrators should implement file integrity monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to critical configuration files and establish proper access controls to limit who can modify these sensitive components. Organizations should also consider implementing additional layers of authentication and authorization beyond the basic installation verification, such as digital signatures or cryptographic checksums, to ensure that configuration files remain untampered throughout the software deployment lifecycle. This vulnerability underscores the importance of implementing robust integrity protection mechanisms for all configuration files that influence system security decisions, as the absence of such protections can lead to complete bypass of authorization controls.