CVE-2007-5838 in Altiris Deployment Solution
Summary
by MITRE
Aclient in Symantec Altiris Deployment Solution 6.x before 6.8.380.0 allows local users to gain local System privileges via the "Enable key-based authentication to Deployment server" browser option, a different issue than CVE-2007-4380.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5838 affects Symantec Altiris Deployment Solution version 6.x prior to 6.8.380.0, representing a significant local privilege escalation flaw that directly impacts system security. This vulnerability specifically exploits a weakness in the client component of the deployment solution where local users can manipulate the "Enable key-based authentication to Deployment server" browser option to escalate their privileges to system level access. The issue is distinct from CVE-2007-4380, indicating it operates through a different attack vector while maintaining similar privilege escalation implications.
The technical flaw resides in the client-side implementation where the authentication mechanism fails to properly validate user permissions when enabling key-based authentication. This weakness allows a local attacker with minimal privileges to manipulate the system configuration through the browser interface, effectively bypassing normal access controls and elevating their privileges to the system level. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and privilege checking within the client component's authentication handling code, creating an exploitable path for local users to gain unauthorized system access.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a critical risk to organizations utilizing Symantec Altiris Deployment Solution as it enables local attackers to achieve system-level privileges without requiring administrative credentials or complex attack vectors. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system, potentially enabling them to install malicious software, modify system configurations, or access sensitive data. The local nature of the exploit means that any user with access to the system can potentially leverage this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or shared computing scenarios.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which addresses improper privileges assigned to a resource, and demonstrates how inadequate privilege validation can lead to system-level compromise. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques under the T1068 category, specifically targeting local system privileges. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor patch to version 6.8.380.0 or higher, restricting local user access to the affected client interface, and implementing monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential impact of such local privilege escalation attacks, while regular security assessments should verify that the patch has been successfully deployed across all affected systems.