CVE-2007-4191 in Panda
Summary
by MITRE
Panda Antivirus 2008 stores service executables under the product s installation directory with weak permissions, which allows local users to obtain LocalSystem privileges by modifying PAVSRV51.EXE or other unspecified files, a related issue to CVE-2006-4657.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4191 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Panda Antivirus 2008 software that directly impacts system security posture. This issue stems from poor permission management during the installation process where service executables are placed in the product's installation directory without proper access controls. The flaw allows local attackers to manipulate critical system files and gain elevated privileges, specifically LocalSystem access, which represents the highest level of system permissions available. This vulnerability operates under the principle of least privilege violation, where system components are improperly secured, creating an attack surface that should remain protected from unauthorized modification.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the installation directory containing service executables with insufficient permission settings that permit modification by local users. When attackers can modify PAVSRV51.EXE or other unspecified files within the installation directory, they effectively gain the ability to inject malicious code or alter legitimate system components. This type of flaw falls under CWE-276, which specifically addresses improper file permissions and inadequate access control mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic path escalation attack pattern where initial local access is leveraged to achieve system-level privileges, enabling attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and potentially compromise the entire system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations deploying Panda Antivirus 2008 as it allows any local user to escalate their privileges to the system level without requiring additional authentication or specialized attack tools. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal skill level and can be executed through simple file modification techniques. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the system, as attackers can modify core security components and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The issue represents a fundamental failure in the security architecture of the antivirus software, where the very protection mechanisms meant to secure the system become attack vectors themselves.
The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation of service configuration flaws. This vulnerability also relates to T1543, which covers abuse of service execution mechanisms, and T1059, which covers execution through command-line interfaces. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting write permissions on installation directories, implementing proper file integrity monitoring, and ensuring that antivirus software is updated to versions that properly secure service executables. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure installation practices and proper permission management in security software, as these components often serve as targets for attackers seeking system-level access. Regular security audits should verify that service executables maintain appropriate permissions and that no local users possess write access to critical system components that could be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks.