CVE-2024-7228: avast free_antivirus Link Following

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2024-7228 is a medium (CVSS 6.1) Link Following vulnerability in avast free_antivirus. EPSS estimates a 0.31% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 22% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 22-11-2024
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 23-11-2024
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

Avast Free Antivirus Link Following Denial-of-Service Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to create a denial-of-service condition on affected installations of Avast Free Antivirus. 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 Avast Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to create a folder. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to create a denial-of-service condition on the system. Was ZDI-CAN-22806.

• CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.