CVE-2022-41604 is a high-severity local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting Check Point ZoneAlarm Extreme Security versions prior to 15.8.211.19229. The vulnerability arises due to weak permissions set on the %PROGRAMDATA%\CheckPoint\ZoneAlarm\Data\Updates directory, combined with a bypass of the product's self-protection driver. This bypass enables a local attacker to create a junction directory (a type of symbolic link in Windows) within the protected directory. By exploiting this junction, the attacker can perform an arbitrary file move operation with SYSTEM-level privileges (NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM), effectively escalating their privileges from a lower-privileged local user to full administrative control over the system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management) and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8, indicating high severity. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L) and low privileges (PR:L), but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, and it impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level. No known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the publication date. The vulnerability is significant because it allows an attacker with limited access to gain full system control, potentially enabling further attacks such as installing persistent malware, disabling security controls, or accessing sensitive data.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious risk, especially in environments where ZoneAlarm Extreme Security is deployed on endpoints. Successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of affected systems, undermining endpoint security and potentially allowing lateral movement within corporate networks. This could result in data breaches, disruption of business operations, and loss of sensitive or regulated data. Given the high privileges gained, attackers could disable security software, evade detection, and maintain persistence. Organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) could face compliance violations and reputational damage if exploited. The local nature of the attack means that initial access is required, but this could be achieved through other means such as phishing or physical access, making it a critical concern for endpoint security management.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Immediately update ZoneAlarm Extreme Security to version 15.8.211.19229 or later where the issue is patched. 2) Audit and correct permissions on the %PROGRAMDATA%\CheckPoint\ZoneAlarm\Data\Updates directory to ensure they are not overly permissive, restricting write and modify access to only trusted system accounts. 3) Implement strict endpoint access controls to limit local user privileges, reducing the pool of users who could exploit this vulnerability. 4) Monitor for unusual junction creation or file move operations within the Check Point directories using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools. 5) Employ application whitelisting and integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes to system files. 6) Educate users about the risks of local privilege escalation and enforce policies to prevent unauthorized software installation or execution. 7) Regularly review and harden self-protection mechanisms of security software to prevent bypasses. 8) Maintain comprehensive logging and alerting to detect potential exploitation attempts early.