CVE-2024-7236 in Antivirus Free
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2024
AVG AntiVirus Free icarus Arbitrary File Creation Denial of Service Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to create a denial-of-service condition on affected installations of AVG AntiVirus Free. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the AVG Installer. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the update functionality to create a file. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to create a persistent denial-of-service condition on the system. Was ZDI-CAN-22942.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2024
The CVE-2024-7236 vulnerability represents a critical denial-of-service weakness in AVG AntiVirus Free that stems from improper handling of symbolic links during the installation process. This flaw specifically affects the icarus component of the AVG installer, which is responsible for managing software updates and installations. The vulnerability operates through a path traversal mechanism that allows attackers to manipulate file creation operations within the antivirus software's update framework. The issue manifests when the installer processes symbolic links without adequate validation, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted symbolic links can be exploited to manipulate the installation environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to first gain low-privileged execution capabilities on the target system, as the flaw does not permit remote code execution but rather leverages local privilege escalation opportunities. Attackers can create symbolic links that point to critical system locations, then trigger the update functionality to create files at these predetermined destinations. This process can be repeated to establish persistent denial-of-service conditions that prevent the antivirus software from functioning properly, effectively rendering the security protection ineffective. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because AVG AntiVirus Free is widely deployed across enterprise and consumer environments, making it a valuable target for adversaries seeking to disrupt security operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability directly impacts the availability and integrity of endpoint security services provided by AVG AntiVirus Free. The persistent denial-of-service condition can prevent legitimate system updates, create false security alerts, and ultimately leave systems vulnerable to other attack vectors. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-367 Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use vulnerabilities, as the installer performs file operations that are susceptible to manipulation between the time of validation and execution. Organizations relying on AVG for endpoint protection face significant risk when this vulnerability is exploited, as it can be used to disable security monitoring capabilities and create windows for more sophisticated attacks.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-7236 should prioritize immediate patching of affected AVG AntiVirus Free installations, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. System administrators should implement additional access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized symbolic link creation, particularly in directories used by installation processes. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the impact if exploitation occurs, while endpoint detection and response solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious file creation patterns associated with the icarus installer component. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of potentially malicious symbolic link creation operations, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Phishing approaches that could be used to establish the initial foothold required for exploitation.