CVE-2020-6012 in Anti-Ransomware
Summary
by MITRE
ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware before version 1.0.713 copies files for the report from a directory with low privileges. A sophisticated timed attacker can replace those files with malicious or linked content, such as exploiting CVE-2020-0896 on unpatched systems.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6012 affects ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware versions prior to 1.0.713, representing a critical security flaw in the software's file handling mechanisms. This issue stems from the application's improper privilege management during report generation processes, where files are copied from directories that lack adequate access controls. The flaw creates an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate the system's security reporting functionality, potentially compromising the integrity of the anti-ransomware protection mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly validate file sources during the reporting phase of its anti-ransomware operations. When ZoneAlarm generates reports, it accesses files from directories that operate with minimal privilege levels, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can substitute legitimate files with compromised alternatives. This design flaw directly relates to CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions and inadequate access control mechanisms. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significantly amplified when combined with other known exploits, particularly CVE-2020-0896, which affects Windows kernel-mode drivers and allows for privilege escalation attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to enterprise security infrastructure, as it undermines the very foundation of the anti-ransomware protection system. Attackers with sufficient time and access can replace files in the low-privilege directories with malicious content, potentially creating false positive reports or injecting malicious code that could bypass security controls. The timing aspect of this attack is particularly concerning as it requires sophisticated coordination, allowing attackers to perform file replacement operations during the report generation window when the system is most vulnerable. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1566, representing spearphishing attacks that could leverage this flaw.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file replacement, as it fundamentally compromises the trust model of the security application itself. When an attacker can manipulate the reporting process, they gain the ability to either obscure actual ransomware activity or create false alarms that could lead to security team distraction and response delays. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the software is properly updated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where patch management cycles are extended. Organizations implementing ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware must consider this vulnerability as a critical risk requiring immediate remediation, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that could be exploited to undermine the entire security posture of the affected systems.