[ SOURCE: http://www.secureroot.com/security/advisories/9786006837.html ] Date: 12.20.2000 Name: Multiple Vulnerabilities in ZoneAlarm Application: ZoneAlarm 2.1.44 Platforms: Windows 9x, ME, NT, 2000 Severity: ZoneAlarm does not detect several types of common Nmap scans. It is also possible for a remote attacker, under certain circumstances, to gain complete access to the file system and disable ZoneAlarm. Author: The WolfPak, alerts@wolfpak.dynip.com ZoneAlarm (http://www.zonelabs.com) is marketed as a personal firewall and threat detection/prevention tool. It is directed at the Windows-based home user with a constant connection to the Internet with a DSL or Cable modem service. Unfortunately, ZoneAlarm does not allow its users to maintain a true understanding of their threat level and exposure. Attackers scanning a system employing ZoneAlarm will go unnoticed when using the common Nmap scan types ACK, FIN, Xmas, Window & Null. While these scans do not return lists of open ports to the attacker, the ZoneAlarm user is not aware of the probe or the possibility of attacks being directed against them. In addition, a window of opportunity exists during the boot process, which allows a remote attacker access to shared resources available on the ZoneAlarm protected device. If file sharing is enabled via Windows Networking and proper Access Controls (ACL) are not utilized, complete access to all shared resources can be obtained through simple NetBIOS drive mapping (tools such as Legion have proven the existence and viability of this threat). Attackers gaining access to the install location of ZoneAlarm (C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm by default) using such a share, it is possible for the attacker to disable ZoneAlarm by deleting or renaming either the executable or its associated DLL files. In an NTFS partition, the entire directory, and all associated files, are installed with 'Everyone:Full Control' as permissions. The registry keys created by ZoneAlarm (HKLM\Software\Zone Labs) also have weak permissions, being set at 'Everyone:Special Access', including SetValue, CreateSubkey & Delete. Note that users do receive a pop-up dialog window asking for the location of the deleted or renamed file, however, the message is sufficiently ambiguous to confuse most basic users into just clicking CANCEL. Once ZoneAlarm is disabled, complete unmitigated access to the file system is obtained. Data may be removed, copied, modified, deleted or otherwise manipulated. From this point, normal remote code execution attacks can be utilized to further compromise the system. According to the manufacturer, "More than 8 million PC users have downloaded ZoneAlarm", making it a very popular target indeed. Zone Labs has been advised of these vulnerabilities and no patch or work around has been provided. ZoneAlarm is copyright Zone Labs, Inc. WolfPak Homepage: http://wolfpak.dynip.com