Dear list,

This mail is not about a single vulnerability, but a more or less general technique I discovered to abuse the restore from quarantine feature in anti-virus solutions to gain local admin rights. As I also presented this attack at the IT SECX conference, I had to invent a name for it too. Hence, it is now called #AVGater (naturally it also has a logo).

For a more detailed description visit: https://bogner.sh/AVGater

Summary:
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Anti-Virus solutions are split into several different components (an unprivileged user mode part, a privileged user mode part and a kernel component). Logically the different systems talk to each other.

By abusing NTFS directory junctions it is possible from the unprivileged user mode part ("the UI") to restore files from the virus quarantine with the permissions of the privileged user mode part ("Windows service"). This may results in a privileged file write vulnerability.

The following image illustrates the attack vector:
https://bogner.sh/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-25-at-11.36.37.png

Steps to exploit:
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1.) Add a malicious DLL into the AV quarantine (for example by manually adding it or by exploiting a race condition)
2.) By abusing NTFS directory junctions redirect the original source folder of the DLL to for example C:\Program Files\Your AV\
3.) Restore the DLL
  => As the DLL in restored with permissions of the privileged Windows service - instead of the user permissions - the file is dropped into an otherwise non-writable folder.
4.) On the next reboot the DLL is loaded by the AV instead of the actual Windows DLL and malicious code can be executed as SYSTEM.

Who is/was affected?
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During the preparation for this public disclosure, several different product have been checked for #AVGater. The following vendors have already released their fix. However, there are a few more to come!

- TrendMicro
- Kaspersky
- ZoneAlarm
- Emsisoft
- Malwarebytes
- Ikarus

Getting our hands dirty
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If you want to know more about how to exploit #AVGator in a real life scenario, I have a good news for you: I already fully documented two exploit vectors:

- Emsisoft: https://bogner.sh/2017/11/local-privilege-escalation-in-emsisoft-anti-malware-by-abusing-ntfs-directory-junctions-avgater/
- Malwarebytes: https://bogner.sh/2017/11/local-privilege-escalation-in-malwarebytes-3-by-abusing-ntfs-directory-junctions-avgater/

How to protect myself?
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Generally, it's pretty simple: Always install updates in a timely manner. However, as some vendors still need a few more days to release their fix, it may take a little till everyone is protected.

Furthermore, as #AVGator can only be exploited if the user is allowed to restore previously quarantined file, I recommend everyone within a corporate environment to block normal users from restoring identified threats. This is wise in any way.

Florian Bogner

eMail: florian@bogner.sh
Web: http://www.bogner.sh
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=368904276
Xing: https://www.xing.com/profile/Florian_Bogner9