CVE-2024-7231: avast cleanup_premium Link Following

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2024-7231 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Link Following vulnerability in avast cleanup_premium. EPSS estimates a 0.34% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 26.3% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 22-11-2024
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 25-11-2024
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

Avast Cleanup Premium Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Avast Cleanup Premium. 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 Cleanup Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to delete a file. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-22894.

• 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.