CVE-2009-4556 in AntiVirus Plus 2009
Summary
by MITRE
Quick Heal AntiVirus Plus 2009 10.00 SP1 and Quick Heal Total Security 2009 10.00 SP1 use weak permissions (Everyone: Full Control) for the product files, which allows local users to gain privileges by replacing executables with Trojan horse programs, as demonstrated by replacing quhlpsvc.exe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4556 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw in Quick Heal AntiVirus Plus 2009 and Quick Heal Total Security 2009 versions 10.00 SP1. This weakness stems from the improper configuration of file system permissions for core product executables, specifically allowing the Everyone group to possess full control permissions. The vulnerability falls under the category of insecure permissions and weak access control mechanisms, which aligns with CWE-276 and CWE-732. The affected system components include the quhlpsvc.exe service executable, which serves as a critical backend process for the antivirus suite.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a straightforward yet dangerous privilege escalation technique. Local attackers can leverage the weak permissions to replace legitimate executable files with malicious Trojan horse programs that maintain the same names and paths. This method of attack exploits the fundamental principle of least privilege violation, where system components should not grant unnecessary permissions to users or groups. The quhlpsvc.exe file, being a critical service component, when replaced with a malicious executable, allows the attacker to execute code with elevated privileges. This approach demonstrates a classic example of DLL hijacking and binary planting attacks, which are catalogued in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 and T1574.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data theft. When local users gain the ability to replace core antivirus executables, they essentially bypass the security controls that the antivirus software is designed to provide. This creates a dangerous situation where the security tool becomes a vector for attack rather than a protective measure. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the system, as malicious code can be seamlessly integrated into the legitimate software ecosystem. Organizations using these specific versions of Quick Heal software face significant risk of persistent threats and potential lateral movement within their networks.
Effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper file system permissions and access control configurations. System administrators should conduct comprehensive permission audits of all installed software components, ensuring that only authorized users and processes possess full control over critical executables. The recommended approach involves implementing the principle of least privilege by restricting permissions to specific administrative accounts and service accounts. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying automated tools to monitor and alert on unauthorized permission changes to critical system files. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar permission misconfigurations across the enterprise environment, aligning with industry best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001.