CVE-2024-7235 – This vulnerability in AVG AntiVirus Free allows... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-7235?

CVE-2024-7235 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This vulnerability in AVG AntiVirus Free allows local attackers to create a denial-of-service condition by exploiting a symbolic link handling flaw in the AVG Service. Attackers need local low-privileged code execution first. Only AVG AntiVirus Free installations are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in AVG AntiVirus Free allows local attackers to create a denial-of-service condition by exploiting a symbolic link handling flaw in the AVG Service. Attackers need local low-privileged code execution first. Only AVG AntiVirus Free installations are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

AVG AntiVirus Free

Versions: Specific versions not disclosed in advisory, but pre-patch versions are vulnerable

Operating Systems: Windows

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires Windows OS with AVG AntiVirus Free installed and running. Attacker needs local low-privileged access.

📦 What is this software?

Antivirus by Avg

View all CVEs affecting Antivirus →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system denial-of-service through resource exhaustion or service crash, requiring system reboot to restore functionality.

🟠

Likely Case

Temporary service disruption affecting AVG protection functionality until service restart.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact with proper access controls preventing low-privileged code execution.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access and code execution, not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Insider threats or compromised accounts could exploit this to disrupt antivirus protection.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires local access and ability to create symbolic links. ZDI-CAN-22803 tracking number indicates coordinated disclosure.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Not specified in advisory, but patch was released as part of ZDI-24-1006 disclosure

Vendor Advisory: https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-24-1006/

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open AVG AntiVirus Free. 2. Navigate to Settings > Update. 3. Click 'Update' to download latest definitions and patches. 4. Restart computer when prompted.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict Symbolic Link Creation

windows

Limit ability to create symbolic links to trusted users only

Not applicable - requires Windows security policy configuration

Monitor AVG Service

windows

Implement monitoring for AVG service crashes or unusual behavior

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict access controls to prevent low-privileged users from executing arbitrary code
Monitor for symbolic link creation attempts and AVG service anomalies

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check AVG version and compare against latest patched version from vendor

Check Version:

Open AVG > Menu > About or check Programs and Features in Control Panel

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify AVG has updated to latest version and service is running normally

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

AVG service crashes
Unusual symbolic link creation events
Access denied errors in AVG logs

Network Indicators:

None - local exploitation only

SIEM Query:

EventID: 7034 (Service terminated unexpectedly) AND ServiceName: 'AVG Service' OR ProcessCreation where CommandLine contains 'mklink'

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-7235

CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CWE: CWE-59

Published: November 22, 2024

Last Updated: December 19, 2024

🔗 References

https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-24-1006/ Third Party Advisory

📤 Share & Export

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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