CVE-2007-4649 in eScan Anti-Virus
Summary
by MITRE
MicroWorld eScan Virus Control 9.0.722.1, Anti-Virus 9.0.722.1, and Internet Security 9.0.722.1 use weak permissions (Everyone:Full Control) for their installation directory trees, which allows local users to gain privileges by replacing application files, as demonstrated by traysser.exe.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2017
This vulnerability exists in MicroWorld eScan antivirus software versions 9.0.722.1 across its virus control, anti-virus, and internet security product lines. The core issue stems from improper access control configuration during the installation process where the software grants Everyone:Full Control permissions to its installation directory trees. This represents a fundamental security misconfiguration that violates the principle of least privilege and creates an exploitable attack surface for local adversaries. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through application misconfiguration.
The technical flaw manifests when local users can manipulate the software installation directory structure to replace critical executable files with malicious counterparts. The specific demonstration involves the traysser.exe file, which serves as a system tray service component that would be targeted for replacement. When an attacker successfully replaces this executable with a malicious version, they can execute code with the privileges of the target application, effectively enabling privilege escalation. The weak permissions allow for write access to the entire installation directory tree, meaning that any user with local access can modify critical components of the antivirus software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems running the affected software. Since antivirus software typically operates with elevated privileges to perform system-level protection tasks, an attacker who gains control of such components can potentially bypass the very security mechanisms designed to protect the system. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario where the malware can persist undetected while maintaining administrative capabilities. The vulnerability affects systems where the antivirus software is installed with default settings, making it widespread across organizations that have not manually configured proper access controls.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate permission remediation followed by comprehensive security hardening. Administrators must modify the installation directory permissions to restrict access to only authorized users and groups, typically requiring the removal of Everyone:Full Control permissions and implementing proper access control lists. The software should be reinstalled with proper security configurations or updated to versions that address this permission flaw. Organizations should also implement regular security audits to verify that critical system components maintain appropriate access controls and consider deploying additional monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file modifications. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper software installation security practices and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration oversights can create significant security risks that compromise the integrity of system protection mechanisms.