ISS Multiple Products Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

iDefense Security Advisory 03.23.05
http://www.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/display.php?id=403
March 23, 2006

I. BACKGROUND

Internet Security Systems (ISS) has developed a suite of tools aimed at
securing server and desktop systems. A flaw exists within a central
module to these components that can allow unprivileged users to obtain
complete control of the machine.

   http://www.iss.net/products_services/products.php

II. DESCRIPTION

Local exploitation of a design error in the multiple Internet Security
Systems (ISS) products may allow a user to gain System level privileges.
Exploitation of this issue is trival and can be done manually.

This exploit has been confirmed in ISS BlackIce 3.6 product and is
reportedly also found in the following products:

- BlackICE PC Protection (Consumer)
- BlackICE Server Protection (Consumer)
- BlackICE Agent for Server (Corporate)
- RealSecure Desktop 3.6 and 7.0 (Corporate)

To exploit this condition you must first trigger an action that would
initiate the Application Protection Module to display a warning. For the
BlackIce product, this can be initiated by launching any executable
moved or installed after the product itselft was first installed.

 From the "Application Protection" dialog press the "More Info" button
with will bring up a secondary form. With this form active, pressing the
F1 key will bring up the standard Windows Open File dialog prompting the
user to manually locate the help file for the application.

The problem arises when the BlackIce process fails to drop
permissions before launching the help dialog. If a user resets the
dialog file mask by entering *.exe [enter] they can then launch any
executable on the system from the dialog by right clicking on it and
choosing "open". Applications run in this manner will be executed with
System level rights.

III. ANALYSIS

Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary
commands as the System Administrator user. This allows complete system
compromise including the installation and removal of applications, and
ability to read and write any file on the system.

IV. DETECTION

iDefense has confirmed this vulnerability exists in version 3.6 of ISS
BlackIce PC Desktop for Windows with all current updates applied.

V. WORKAROUND

There is currently no known work around for this issue.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

"This issue does not affect Proventia Desktop, which is a replacement
product for and a free upgrade from RealSecure Desktop 3.6 and 7.0.  Nor
does this issue affect Proventia Server, which is a replacement product
for and a free upgrade from BlackICE Agent for Server.  There are no
other ISS products that use the components described."

VII. CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CAN-2005-2711 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for
security problems.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

08/23/2005  Initial vendor notification
08/24/2005  Initial vendor response
03/23/2005  Public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous.

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X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2006 iDefense, Inc.

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Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect,
or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on,
this information.