CVE-2007-1538 in VirusScan Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0.i uses insecure permissions for certain Windows Registry keys, which allows local users to bypass local password protection via the UIP value in (1) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\McAfee\DesktopProtection or (2) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Network Associates\TVD\VirusScan Entreprise\CurrentVersion. NOTE: this issue has been disputed by third-party researchers, stating that the default permissions for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE does not allow for write access and the product does not modify the inherited permissions. There might be an interaction error with another product.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1538 relates to insecure permissions within the Windows Registry configuration of McAfee VirusScan Enterprise version 8.5.0.i. This issue falls under the category of privilege escalation and access control weaknesses, specifically addressing how the software manages registry key permissions during installation and operation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it potentially allows local users to bypass authentication mechanisms that should protect sensitive configuration settings. According to the original description, the problem manifests through the UIP value within two specific registry paths, which are commonly used by McAfee products for configuration management and user interface protection settings. The registry keys in question are HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\McAfee\DesktopProtection and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Network Associates\TVD\VirusScan Entreprise\CurrentVersion, both of which contain critical security parameters that control access to the antivirus protection mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from improper permission settings on these registry keys, which should normally be protected from unauthorized modification by local users. Under normal Windows security model, registry keys under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE are typically protected by system-level permissions that prevent standard users from modifying critical configuration data. However, in this specific case, the McAfee VirusScan Enterprise installation process appears to have configured these registry keys with overly permissive settings, allowing local users to modify the UIP (User Interface Protection) value. This creates a scenario where unauthorized local users could potentially bypass the password protection mechanisms that are intended to prevent unauthorized configuration changes to the antivirus software. The vulnerability represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege, where registry keys that should be protected from modification by non-privileged users are instead accessible for modification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0.i, as it could allow malicious local users or attackers who have gained local access to compromise the security configuration of the antivirus solution. This could lead to unauthorized modification of protection settings, potentially disabling critical security features or redirecting the antivirus software to ignore certain threats. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security controls that the antivirus software is designed to provide, creating a false sense of security for system administrators who may believe their systems are adequately protected. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability could be exploited as part of a broader attack chain, particularly in scenarios where attackers have already achieved local access through other means such as phishing, social engineering, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as the ability to modify UIP values could allow attackers to disable user interface protections that are meant to prevent unauthorized configuration changes.
The disputed nature of this vulnerability highlights the complexity of analyzing security issues in enterprise software environments where multiple products and services may interact in unexpected ways. Third-party researchers have questioned the validity of the reported vulnerability by pointing out that the default permissions for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE do not allow write access, suggesting that the issue may be more nuanced than originally described. This dispute indicates that the vulnerability might not be present in standard installations or could be the result of misconfigurations introduced by other software components or system administrators. The potential interaction with other products, as mentioned in the description, suggests that this vulnerability might be a symptom of a broader compatibility or configuration issue rather than an inherent flaw in McAfee VirusScan Enterprise itself. This aligns with ATT&CK framework concept of privilege escalation through registry modification, where the actual attack vector may involve more complex interactions between multiple system components.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader assessment of registry permissions and access controls within enterprise environments. The issue demonstrates the importance of proper permission management for critical system components and highlights the need for regular security audits of installed software configurations. Organizations should verify that registry keys related to security software maintain appropriate permissions and should investigate whether any custom configurations or third-party software installations may have altered the default security settings. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining updated security software and understanding the implications of how security products interact with system-level configurations. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability could potentially impact various security standards that require proper access controls and privilege management, including those related to information security governance and risk management frameworks.