1. Introduction
Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner is a dynamic vulnerability scanner for web applications installed on Windows hosts. Its presence indicates that an organisation actively scans its web applications, but also introduces a potential attack surface if the scanner itself is not secured. A successful compromise of Acunetix WVS could lead to information disclosure or denial of service.
2. Technical Explanation
The vulnerability lies in the installation of Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner on a Windows host. While not an exploitable flaw *in* Acunetix itself, its presence is an indicator of potential risk. Attackers may target systems with known software installed to exploit vulnerabilities within those applications or use them as pivot points for wider network access. There are no specific CVEs associated with the mere installation of this scanner; however, it represents a reconnaissance opportunity for attackers. An attacker could identify hosts running Acunetix WVS and then attempt to compromise the host directly using other known Windows vulnerabilities.
- Root cause: The presence of the software itself is not a root cause but an indicator of potential risk.
- Exploit mechanism: Attackers would scan for systems with Acunetix installed, then use standard Windows exploitation techniques to gain access.
- Scope: Affected platforms are Windows operating systems where Acunetix WVS has been installed.
3. Detection and Assessment
Confirming the presence of Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner can be done through several methods.
- Quick checks: Check the list of installed programs in Windows Control Panel or using PowerShell:
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like "*Acunetix*"} - Scanning: Nessus plugin ID 14867 can detect Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner installations. This is an example only, and other scanners may also provide detection capabilities.
- Logs and evidence: No specific logs directly indicate the presence of Acunetix WVS; however, process listings or network traffic associated with the scanner’s components (e.g., acunetixwvs.exe) can be indicative.
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like "*Acunetix*"}4. Solution / Remediation Steps
The remediation steps focus on ensuring the Acunetix WVS installation is secured and monitored, not necessarily removing it.
4.1 Preparation
- Call out dependencies or pre-requisites: Ensure you have administrative access to the Windows host. Roll back plan: Revert any configuration changes made if issues arise.
- Mention change window needs and who should approve, if relevant: Changes may require a maintenance window depending on system criticality.
4.2 Implementation
- Step 1: Ensure the Acunetix WVS installation is running with least privilege. Review user accounts associated with the service.
- Step 2: Update Acunetix WVS to the latest version to address any known vulnerabilities within the scanner itself.
- Step 3: Configure strong authentication and authorization for access to the Acunetix WVS web interface.
4.3 Config or Code Example
Before
# Default user account with broad permissions (example)
LocalSystemAfter
# Dedicated service account with limited privileges
DedicatedServiceAccount4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability
Several security practices directly address the risks associated with software installations like Acunetix WVS.
- Practice 1: Least privilege – running services with minimal necessary permissions reduces impact if compromised.
- Practice 2: Patch cadence – regularly updating software addresses known vulnerabilities within those applications.
- Practice 3: Secure configuration – strong authentication and authorization prevent unauthorized access.
4.5 Automation (Optional)
Automation is not directly applicable to this vulnerability, as it focuses on the security of an existing installation rather than a specific fix. However, you could automate patch management for Acunetix WVS using PowerShell scripting and task scheduling.
# Example PowerShell script (requires appropriate permissions)
# This is a placeholder - actual implementation will vary based on your environment
# Get-Package -Name "AcunetixWVS" | Update-Package -Force5. Verification / Validation
Confirm the fix by verifying the updated configuration and ensuring the scanner is running securely.
- Post-fix check: Verify that Acunetix WVS is running with a dedicated service account using Task Manager or Services.msc.
- Re-test: Re-run the initial detection method (
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like "*Acunetix*"}) to confirm the software is still present but configured securely. - Smoke test: Verify that Acunetix WVS can still scan web applications without issues.
- Monitoring: Monitor event logs for any failed authentication attempts or unusual activity related to the Acunetix WVS service.
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like "*Acunetix*"}6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring
Preventive measures focus on maintaining a secure software inventory and implementing robust patch management processes.
- Baselines: Update security baselines to include requirements for least privilege and secure configuration of all installed software.
- Asset and patch process: Implement a regular patch review cycle for all software, including Acunetix WVS.
7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back
Changing service accounts or updating the scanner may introduce temporary service disruptions.
- Risk or side effect 1: Service disruption during account changes – ensure a roll back plan is in place to revert to the previous configuration if issues arise.
- Roll back: Revert any configuration changes made, and restore the original service account settings. If an update causes issues, revert to the previous version of Acunetix WVS.
8. References and Resources
Links only to sources that match this exact vulnerability. Use official advisories and trusted documentation. Do not include generic links.
- Vendor advisory or bulletin: https://www.acunetix.com/vulnerability-scanner/