CVE-2008-1473 in Altiris Deployment Solution
Summary
by MITRE
The Altiris Client Service (AClient.exe) in Symantec Altiris Deployment Solution 6.8.x before 6.9.164 allows local users to gain privileges via a "Shatter" style attack.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1473 represents a significant privilege escalation flaw within Symantec Altiris Deployment Solution version 6.8.x prior to 6.9.164. This issue affects the Altiris Client Service component known as AClient.exe which operates with elevated privileges on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of Windows message processing mechanisms that enables local attackers to manipulate the service's execution flow through a technique reminiscent of the well-known Shatter attack vector. The Altiris Client Service runs with system-level privileges, making any privilege escalation opportunity particularly dangerous for attackers seeking to gain elevated access to target systems. This vulnerability directly impacts the security model of the deployment solution by allowing unauthorized local users to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the exploitation of message handling vulnerabilities within the Windows operating system architecture. Attackers can leverage the Shatter-style attack pattern by manipulating Windows message queues and window procedures to inject malicious code into the privileged Altiris Client Service process. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the service processes certain types of Windows messages without proper validation of message source or integrity checks. This allows an attacker to craft malicious messages that, when processed by the privileged service, result in code execution with system-level privileges. The flaw exists because the service does not properly validate message origins or implement adequate access controls during message processing operations. The attack requires local system access but does not require network connectivity, making it particularly insidious as it can be exploited through local compromise of user accounts.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-1473 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise and persistent access. Once exploited, attackers can leverage the elevated privileges to install rootkits, modify system files, establish backdoors, or access sensitive data stored on the target system. The vulnerability affects enterprise environments where Altiris Deployment Solution is widely deployed for software distribution and system management tasks. Organizations using this solution may experience unauthorized access to their deployment infrastructure, potentially compromising thousands of managed endpoints. The attack vector's local nature means that even if network security controls are effective, local system compromises can still result in system-wide exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users have local access to systems running the affected service, creating a significant risk for organizations without proper access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1473 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security improvements. The primary remediation involves upgrading to Symantec Altiris Deployment Solution version 6.9.164 or later, which includes fixes for the message processing vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement least privilege principles for the Altiris Client Service, ensuring it runs with minimal required privileges rather than system-level access. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit local system access where possible. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual message processing patterns or unauthorized code execution attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper privilege management, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to identify potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed audit logs of service execution and message processing activities to support forensic analysis.