CVE-2018-12572 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Avast Free Antivirus versions prior to 19.1.2360 are vulnerable to a local credential disclosure issue that allows unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2018-12572

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in Avast Free Antivirus that could lead to the exposure of user credentials.

What is CVE-2018-12572?

Local users can exploit a flaw in Avast Free Antivirus to extract user credentials from the application's memory dump during the login process.

The Impact of CVE-2018-12572

The vulnerability enables unauthorized users to access sensitive information, posing a risk to user privacy and security.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-12572

Avast Free Antivirus is affected by a specific issue that allows for the extraction of user credentials.

Vulnerability Description

The antivirus software stores user credentials in memory upon login, making it possible for local users to obtain this information by dumping the AvastUI.exe application memory.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Avast Free Antivirus
Versions Affected: Prior to 19.1.2360

Exploitation Mechanism

Local users can access sensitive information by extracting user credentials from the memory dump of AvastUI.exe during the login process.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Avast Free Antivirus to version 19.1.2360 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or suspicious activities on the system.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update antivirus software and security patches to prevent future vulnerabilities.
Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication to enhance security.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all software, including Avast Free Antivirus, is regularly updated with the latest security patches to protect against known vulnerabilities.