CVE-2007-2950 in Discovery
Summary
by MITRE
Centennial Discovery 2006 Feature Pack 1, which is used by (1) Numara Asset Manager 8.0 and (2) Symantec Discovery 6.5, uses insecure permissions on certain directories, which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2950 affects Centennial Discovery 2006 Feature Pack 1 components that are integrated into Numara Asset Manager 8.0 and Symantec Discovery 6.5 software solutions. This issue represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability that stems from improper access control mechanisms within the software installation directories. The flaw specifically targets directory permissions that are configured with insufficient security controls, creating opportunities for local attackers to exploit these weaknesses and elevate their system privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of insecure directory permissions that allow unauthorized local users to modify critical system components or access sensitive data that should be restricted to privileged processes. This weakness falls under the broader category of inadequate access control as defined by CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized users to access resources or perform actions beyond their intended privileges. The vulnerability operates at the operating system level where directory access controls fail to properly restrict user permissions, enabling local users to gain elevated privileges through manipulation of these improperly secured directories.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations that deploy affected software solutions. Local users who might otherwise have standard user privileges can leverage this weakness to escalate their access level and potentially gain administrative rights to the affected systems. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can enable attackers to modify system configurations, install malicious software, or access confidential data that is protected by normal access controls. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where multiple users may have access to systems running the affected software, creating potential attack vectors for both insider threats and external attackers who gain local access.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. Attackers can use this weakness as an initial foothold to establish more persistent access to systems while maintaining elevated privileges. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the widespread deployment of the affected software solutions, as both Numara Asset Manager 8.0 and Symantec Discovery 6.5 were commonly used enterprise discovery and asset management tools that would be present on numerous corporate systems. Organizations implementing these solutions should consider the broader security implications of such vulnerabilities within their overall security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2950 should focus on implementing proper directory permission controls and conducting regular security assessments of installed software components. System administrators should review and correct directory permissions for affected software installations to ensure that only authorized processes have the necessary access rights. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to address known vulnerabilities in enterprise software solutions. The remediation process should include verifying that directory permissions are correctly configured according to security best practices and that access controls are properly enforced. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments can help identify similar permission-related issues that may exist within the broader software ecosystem, preventing similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.