CVE-2012-0304 in LiveUpdate
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec LiveUpdate Administrator before 2.3.1 uses weak permissions (Everyone: Full Control) for the installation directory, which allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0304 affects Symantec LiveUpdate Administrator versions prior to 2.3.1 and represents a critical privilege escalation issue stemming from improper access control mechanisms. This weakness manifests in the installation directory where the software grants Everyone: Full Control permissions, creating an exploitable condition that adversaries can leverage to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local user accounts exist.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the installation directory permissions being configured with excessive access rights that allow any local user to modify critical system components. When Symantec LiveUpdate Administrator installs its components, it creates directories with default permissions that grant full control to the Everyone group, which includes all local users regardless of their administrative status. This misconfiguration enables attackers to place malicious files in the installation directory, specifically targeting the LiveUpdate Administrator application or its associated executables, which will then execute with the privileges of the service account or system context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a persistent backdoor mechanism within the targeted system. Local users who gain access to the system can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects both Windows and Linux environments where Symantec LiveUpdate Administrator is deployed, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple systems may be running vulnerable versions. This weakness is categorized under CWE-276 as "Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation."
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through the installation of Symantec LiveUpdate Administrator version 2.3.1 or later, which addresses the improper directory permissions. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all installation directories for Symantec products to ensure proper access control settings are implemented. The recommended approach includes setting restrictive permissions on installation directories, ensuring only authorized users and processes have write access, and implementing proper file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing privilege separation mechanisms and regular security assessments to identify similar permission-related vulnerabilities in other software installations, as this represents a common class of security flaws that can be exploited across multiple applications and platforms.