CVE-2009-1431 in AntiVirus
Summary
by MITRE
XFR.EXE in the Intel File Transfer service in the console in Symantec Alert Management System 2 (AMS2), as used in Symantec System Center (SSS); Symantec AntiVirus Server; Symantec AntiVirus Central Quarantine Server; Symantec AntiVirus (SAV) Corporate Edition 9 before 9.0 MR7, 10.0 and 10.1 before 10.1 MR8, and 10.2 before 10.2 MR2; Symantec Client Security (SCS) 2 before 2.0 MR7 and 3 before 3.1 MR8; and Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) before 11.0 MR3, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by placing the code on a (1) share or (2) WebDAV server, and then sending the UNC share pathname to this service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1431 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Symantec's security infrastructure products, specifically affecting the XFR.EXE component within the Intel File Transfer service of Symantec Alert Management System 2. This vulnerability exists in multiple Symantec products including System Center, AntiVirus Server, Central Quarantine Server, Client Security, and Endpoint Protection across various version ranges. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of file paths, creating an avenue for attackers to execute malicious code remotely. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to leverage legitimate file transfer mechanisms to deliver and execute arbitrary code without requiring authentication or local access to the target systems. The attack vector involves placing malicious code on either network shares or WebDAV servers, then crafting specially formatted UNC paths that are processed by the vulnerable XFR.EXE service, which ultimately results in code execution with the privileges of the service account.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic path traversal and command injection pattern where the Intel File Transfer service fails to properly sanitize user-supplied UNC paths. When the service processes these paths, it does not adequately validate the input, allowing attackers to specify malicious file locations that can be interpreted as executable commands. This flaw falls under CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and more specifically relates to CWE-78, which addresses OS command injection. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate functionality of network file sharing protocols to deliver malicious payloads, making it difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring or intrusion detection systems. Attackers can exploit this by creating shares or WebDAV servers containing malicious files and then sending the UNC path to the vulnerable service, effectively bypassing many security controls that would normally prevent code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across Symantec's enterprise security ecosystem, affecting organizations that deploy multiple versions of their security products across different network segments. Organizations using affected versions of Symantec System Center, AntiVirus Server, Central Quarantine Server, Client Security, and Endpoint Protection are at risk of complete system compromise when attackers exploit this vulnerability. The attack scenario enables lateral movement within networks as attackers can execute code on systems that have the vulnerable service running, potentially leading to full domain compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and script interpreter execution through Windows Management Instrumentation, and T1021.002, which involves remote services through SMB. The impact is amplified because these services often run with elevated privileges, meaning successful exploitation could provide attackers with administrative access to affected systems. Additionally, since the vulnerability affects multiple Symantec products, organizations may face widespread compromise across their security infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls that were designed to protect against malicious code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1431 require immediate action across all affected Symantec products. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided patches and updates that address the input validation issues in the XFR.EXE service. Network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to the vulnerable services, particularly limiting access to the affected UNC paths and WebDAV shares. Administrators should disable unnecessary file sharing services and implement strict access controls on network shares to prevent unauthorized access to potentially malicious files. Monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious UNC path usage patterns and anomalous file access behaviors. The recommended approach includes implementing network access controls using firewalls to restrict communication with affected services and applying the appropriate Symantec security patches as soon as they become available. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized code, and conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected systems within their network infrastructure. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be performed to ensure that the mitigations are effective and that no other similar vulnerabilities exist in the organization's security infrastructure.