CVE-2019-16897 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

K7 Antivirus Premium, K7 Total Security, and K7 Ultimate Security versions 16.0.xxx through 16.0.0120 contain a vulnerability that allows unauthorized registry writes, leading to privilege escalation.

Understanding CVE-2019-16897

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the K7TSHlpr.dll module that enables unauthorized registry writes in the K7AVOptn.dll module, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their privileges.

What is CVE-2019-16897?

The vulnerability in K7 Antivirus Premium, K7 Total Security, and K7 Ultimate Security versions 16.0.xxx through 16.0.0120 permits unauthorized registry writes, which can be exploited through inter-process communication to elevate privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16897

The vulnerability allows attackers to escalate their privileges by exploiting the flaw in the K7TSHlpr.dll module, enabling unauthorized registry writes in the K7AVOptn.dll module.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16897

The technical details of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper validation of administrative privileges in the K7TSHlpr.dll module, facilitating arbitrary registry writes in the K7AVOptn.dll module through inter-process communication.

Affected Systems and Versions

K7 Antivirus Premium 16.0.xxx through 16.0.0120
K7 Total Security 16.0.xxx through 16.0.0120
K7 Ultimate Security 16.0.xxx through 16.0.0120

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging inter-process communication with a service process, attackers can exploit the vulnerability to perform unauthorized registry writes and escalate their privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-16897, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update K7 Antivirus Premium, K7 Total Security, and K7 Ultimate Security to versions that contain patches for the vulnerability.
Monitor system activity for any signs of unauthorized privilege escalation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access rights.
Regularly update security software and conduct vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by K7 Computing to address the vulnerability and prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.