CVE-2008-2794 in Altiris
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the GUI in Symantec Altiris Notification Server Agent 6.x before 6.0 SP3 R8 allows local users to gain privileges via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2794 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the graphical user interface component of Symantec Altiris Notification Server Agent version 6.x prior to service pack 3 release 8. This issue affects organizations relying on Altiris for enterprise endpoint management and notification services, where the notification server agent operates with elevated privileges to perform system administration tasks. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it could potentially be exploited through multiple pathways without clear indication of the exact technical weakness.
The technical flaw lies within the GUI implementation of the Altiris Notification Server Agent, which operates with elevated privileges to execute administrative functions across managed endpoints. Local users who can access the system where the agent is installed may exploit this vulnerability to escalate their privileges from standard user level to administrative or system level access. This privilege escalation capability allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain complete control over the affected system. The vulnerability specifically targets the agent's interface component, suggesting that the flaw may reside in how the GUI handles user input, processes system calls, or manages access permissions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for enterprise environments that deploy Symantec Altiris Notification Server Agent for managing large numbers of endpoints. Organizations utilizing this software for remote system management, patch deployment, and endpoint monitoring face potential compromise if local users can exploit this privilege escalation vulnerability. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially enable attackers to move laterally within networks, escalate privileges across multiple systems, and gain access to sensitive organizational data. This vulnerability undermines the security posture of enterprises relying on Altiris for endpoint management, as it allows unauthorized local access to potentially privileged system functions.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2008-2794 requires immediate deployment of Symantec's official patch for the Altiris Notification Server Agent version 6.0 SP3 R8, which addresses the privilege escalation vulnerability within the GUI component. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as restricting local access to systems running the agent, monitoring for unauthorized local logins, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of endpoint management software. Network segmentation and least privilege access principles should be enforced to limit potential exploitation impact. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-269: "Improper Privilege Management" and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068: "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" in the enterprise attack framework. System administrators should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining unaddressed in the future, as the unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests potential for multiple exploitation methods that may not be immediately apparent.