-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 iDefense Security Advisory 04.28.09 http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/ Apr 28, 2009 I. BACKGROUND Symantec System Center is an MMC (Microsoft Management Console) snap-in that allows an administrator to remotely manage Symantec products. The Symantec System Center comes bundled with several Symantec products, including Symantec Client Security and Symantec AntiVirus. It contains an optional component called the Alert Management System Console. This component starts a service (Intel File Transfer) that listens on TCP port 12174. II. DESCRIPTION Remote exploitation of a design error vulnerability in Symantec Corp.'s Symantec System Center may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. The vulnerability exists within the 'Intel File Transfer' service, which runs the xfr.exe application. When sent a properly formatted request, this service will extract a string from the request, and use it as the path of a program to execute as a new Process. The process will be started with SYSTEM privileges. III. ANALYSIS Exploitation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. In order to exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must be able to establish a TCP session on port 12174 with the vulnerable host. The vulnerable service is actually part of LANDesk Management Suite. It is not clear whether the behavior described is part of the intended functionality of the program. However, the manner in which the service is being used by the Symantec System Center is unsafe. In a default client type installation, the Symantec System Center is not installed. The System Center would normally be found on the network administrator's system. In addition, the Alert Management System Console is not a default option in the installation of the System Center. IV. DETECTION iDefense has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in Symantec Client Security version 3.1. Previous versions may also be affected. Symantec has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in the following products: Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition Version 9.0 MR6 and earlier Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition Version 10.0 all versions Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition Version 10.1 MR7 and earlier Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition Version 10.2 MR1 and earlier Symantec Client Security Version 2.0 MR6 and earlier Symantec Client Security Version 3.0 all versions Symantec Client Security Version 3.1 MR7 and earlier Symantec Endpoint Protection Version 11.0 MR2 and earlier V. WORKAROUND The 'Intel File Transfer' service (which launches xfr.exe) can be disabled via the Service Manager. However, this may impair the operation of the Alert Management Service (AMS). Symantec recommends users of the AMS switch to 'Reporting' to manage alerts in their environments, and disable or uninstall AMS as a temporary mitigation. VI. VENDOR RESPONSE Symantec has released a patch which addresses this issue. For more information, consult their advisory at the following URL: http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&year=2009&suid=20090428_02 VII. CVE INFORMATION The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the name CVE-2009-1431 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 10/09/2007 - Initial Contact 10/09/2007 - Initial Vendor Response 08/27/2008 - Vendor Status Update 12/11/2008 - Requested Status Update 12/11/2008 - Vendor Status Update 04/14/2009 - Requested CVE 04/14/2009 - Requested Status Update 04/15/2009 - Vendor Status Update 04/28/2009 - Coordinated Public Disclosure IX. CREDIT The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous. Get paid for vulnerability research http://labs.idefense.com/methodology/vulnerability/vcp.php Free tools, research and upcoming events http://labs.idefense.com/ X. LEGAL NOTICES Copyright © 2009 iDefense, Inc. Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express written consent of iDefense. If you wish to reprint the whole or any part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please e-mail customerservice@idefense.com for permission. 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. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (MingW32) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFJ+IGjbjs6HoxIfBkRAvcOAJ0RTXsiFdCS99wP6eCPIhnFn745HwCfU4m2 YcW8RzpL/4bcgDrjg1Lz3K8= =6lcO -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----