CVE-2007-1066 in Security Agent
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Secure Services Client (CSSC) 4.x, Trust Agent 1.x and 2.x, Cisco Security Agent (CSA) 5.0 and 5.1 (when a vulnerable Trust Agent has been deployed), and the Meetinghouse AEGIS SecureConnect Client use an insecure default Discretionary Access Control Lists (DACL) for the connection client GUI, which allows local users to gain privileges by injecting "a thread under ConnectionClient.exe," aka CSCsg20558.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1066 represents a critical security flaw in several Cisco security products including the Cisco Secure Services Client version 4.x, Trust Agent versions 1.x and 2.x, Cisco Security Agent version 5.0 and 5.1, and the Meetinghouse AEGIS SecureConnect Client. This issue stems from the improper implementation of discretionary access control mechanisms within the graphical user interface components of these security applications. The vulnerability specifically affects the connection client GUI where insecure default discretionary access control lists are configured, creating a pathway for local privilege escalation attacks.
The technical flaw manifests through the insecure default DACL configuration that governs access permissions for the ConnectionClient.exe process. When a vulnerable Trust Agent is deployed, local users can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious threads directly into the ConnectionClient.exe process. This thread injection technique allows attackers to execute code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries of the applications. The vulnerability operates at the system level where the operating system's access control mechanisms are improperly configured, enabling local users to escalate their privileges from standard user level to administrative privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows local attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to systems protected by these Cisco security products. Attackers can leverage this privilege escalation to modify security policies, access sensitive data, install malicious software, or compromise the integrity of the entire security infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations that deploy these specific Cisco security clients, potentially exposing their networks to insider threats or compromised user accounts. The attack vector requires local system access but provides a substantial privilege escalation payload that can undermine the security posture of the entire system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Cisco products to address the insecure default DACL configuration. Organizations must ensure all instances of Cisco Secure Services Client 4.x, Trust Agent 1.x and 2.x, and Cisco Security Agent 5.0 and 5.1 are updated to versions that properly implement access control mechanisms. System administrators should also review and harden the default access control configurations for these applications, implementing proper discretionary access control lists that restrict unauthorized access to critical processes. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious thread injection activities and implementing application whitelisting controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper default permissions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through thread injection methods.