CVE-2008-1754 in Altiris Deployment Solution
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Altiris Deployment Solution before 6.9.164 stores the Deployment Solution Agent (aka AClient) password in cleartext in memory, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by dumping the AClient.exe process memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1754 affects Symantec Altiris Deployment Solution versions prior to 6.9.164, specifically targeting the Deployment Solution Agent component known as AClient.exe. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in how the system handles authentication credentials, creating an exploitable condition that directly compromises the confidentiality of sensitive information. The issue manifests when the system stores authentication passwords in plaintext format within the memory space of the running agent process, making these credentials immediately accessible to any local user with sufficient privileges to perform memory dumping operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from poor credential handling practices within the Altiris Deployment Solution architecture. When the AClient.exe process executes, it maintains authentication credentials in unencrypted form within its memory space, violating fundamental security principles for credential storage. This approach directly contravenes established security guidelines that mandate the use of encrypted storage mechanisms for sensitive information, particularly authentication credentials. The cleartext storage of passwords in memory creates an attack surface that aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of credentials. The vulnerability enables attackers to leverage standard memory analysis tools to extract the plaintext password, effectively bypassing authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized access to systems managed by the deployment solution.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on Symantec Altiris for system deployment and management. Local users with access to the system can exploit this weakness to obtain administrative credentials used by the deployment agent, potentially enabling them to compromise entire deployment infrastructures. The attack vector requires only local system access and memory dumping capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privilege escalation is possible or where insider threats exist. This vulnerability undermines the trust model of the deployment solution, as it allows unauthorized access to systems that should only be reachable through proper authentication channels. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as these credentials often provide access to critical network resources, deployment repositories, and system management interfaces.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this weakness as part of a broader attack chain, using the extracted credentials to move laterally within networks or to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, as the system unnecessarily exposes authentication credentials in a manner that provides full access to deployment functionality. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as process memory protection mechanisms, regular credential rotation policies, and monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Symantec Altiris Deployment Solution version 6.9.164 or later, which addresses the cleartext storage issue through proper credential encryption and secure memory handling practices. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help reduce the potential impact of credential exposure, while regular security assessments should verify that no other components of the deployment solution store credentials insecurely.