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Security controls bypass or absence - Antivirus

Need​

Implementation of robust antivirus and data loss prevention (DLP) measures

Context​

  • Usage of Scala for building scalable and high-performance applications
  • Usage of java.io.File for file input/output operations
  • Usage of java.io.PrintWriter for writing formatted text output

Description​

Non compliant code​

import java.io._

object Main extends App {
  val writer = new PrintWriter(new File("antivirus_config.ini" ))

  writer.write("AntivirusProtection=Disabled")
  writer.close()
}

The above Scala code shows a critical security vulnerability. It opens a file named antivirus_config.ini and writes AntivirusProtection=Disabled into it. This operation disables the antivirus protection, which is a serious security concern.

The vulnerability lies in the fact that the application is able to modify critical system files that control the antivirus settings. This could potentially allow an attacker to disable the antivirus and thus bypass security controls. The application should not have the capability to modify such files, as it opens up the system to various types of attacks.

Also, the code lacks any form of access control or permission checks. This means any user or process that can execute this code, can disable the antivirus protection. This is a clear example of a security control bypass vulnerability.

The risk is further increased if the application is running with high privileges, as it would then have the ability to modify a wide range of system files, potentially causing even more damage.

Steps​

  • Avoid directly modifying antivirus configuration files from the application code.
  • Implement proper access controls and permissions to prevent unauthorized modification of antivirus settings.
  • Use an antivirus management API or command-line interface provided by the antivirus software to enable or disable protection settings.
  • Ensure that the antivirus software is regularly updated to the latest version to benefit from the latest security controls.
  • Implement a secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) process that includes security reviews and testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
  • Educate developers and maintainers about the importance of maintaining proper security controls and the risks associated with bypassing or disabling antivirus protection.

Compliant code​

import java.io._

object Main extends App {
  // Removed the code that modifies the antivirus configuration file
}

The original code was vulnerable because it directly modified the antivirus configuration file to disable the antivirus protection. This is a serious security risk as it leaves the system unprotected against various attacks.

The fixed code removes the part that modifies the antivirus configuration file. This is a necessary step to prevent the bypassing or disabling of antivirus protection. However, this is not enough to fully secure the system.

Here are some additional steps that should be taken:

  1. Access Controls and Permissions: Implement proper access controls and permissions to prevent unauthorized modification of antivirus settings. This can be done at the operating system level or by using features provided by the antivirus software.

  2. Antivirus Management API: Use an antivirus management API or command-line interface provided by the antivirus software to enable or disable protection settings. This ensures that changes to the antivirus settings are done in a controlled and secure manner.

  3. Regular Updates: Ensure that the antivirus software is regularly updated to the latest version. This ensures that the system benefits from the latest security controls and fixes for known vulnerabilities.

  4. Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC): Implement a secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) process that includes security reviews and testing. This helps to identify and address vulnerabilities early in the development process.

  5. Education: Educate developers and maintainers about the importance of maintaining proper security controls and the risks associated with bypassing or disabling antivirus protection. This helps to create a culture of security awareness and responsibility.

References​

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