Local privilege escalation vulnerability in Protector Plus Antivirus (Proland Software)

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ShineShadow Security Report 15092009-09

TITLE

Local privilege escalation vulnerability in Protector Plus antivirus software

BACKGROUND

Protector Plus range of antivirus products are known the world over for their 
efficiency and reliability. Protector Plus Antivirus Software is available for 
Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows 
2000/2003/NT server and NetWare platforms. Protector Plus Antivirus Software is 
the ideal antivirus protection for your computer against all types of malware 
like viruses, trojans, worms and spyware.

-- www.pspl.com

VULNERABLE PRODUCTS

Protector Plus 2009 for Windows Desktops (8.0.E03)
Protector Plus 2009 for Windows Server (8.0.E03)
Protector Plus Professional (9.1.001)

Previous versions may also be affected

DETAILS

Protector Plus installs the own program files with insecure permissions 
(Everyone - Full Control). Local attacker (unprivileged user) can replace some 
files (for example, executable files of Protector services) by malicious file 
and execute arbitary code with SYSTEM privileges. This is local privilege 
escalation vulnerability.
 
For example, the following attack scenario could be used:
1. An attacker (unprivileged user) renames one of the Protector program files 
(below, the FILE). For example, the FILE could be - PPAVMON.exe (Protector Plus 
Anti-virus Monitor Service).
2. An attacker copies his malicious executable file (with same name as the old 
filename of the FILE - PPAVMON.exe) to Protector folder.
3. Restart the system.
After restart attackers malicious file will be executed with SYSTEM privileges.

EXPLOITATION

This is local privilege escalation vulnerability. An attacker must have valid 
logon credentials to a system where vulnerable software is installed.

WORKAROUND

No workarounds

DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

31/08/2009 Initial vendor notification. Secure contacts requested.
01/09/2009 Vendor response 
03/09/2009 Vulnerability details sent. Confirmation requested. ? no reply
09/09/2009 Vulnerability details sent. Confirmation requested. ? no reply
11/09/2009 Last attempt to get reply from vendor. Vulnerability details sent. 
Confirmation requested. ? no reply
15/09/2009 Advisory released

CREDITS 

Maxim A. Kulakov (aka ShineShadow) 
ss_contacts[at]hotmail.com