CVE-2024-7227: Avast Free Antivirus AvastSvc Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Routine

HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2024-7227 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting free antivirus. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Avast Free Antivirus AvastSvc Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Avast Free Antivirus. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the Avast Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the servic

Why this priority

High severity

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 71%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59
Published	2024-11-22
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Zero Day Initiative · Vendor: avast

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-11-22 22:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 08:19 UTCUpdated Record last modified

avast free antivirus DOWNGRADE

Affected: 23.9.6082

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 23.9.6082

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy free-antivirus || rpm -q free-antivirus || free-antivirus --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 23.9.6082 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison free-antivirus sudo apt install free-antivirus=<VERSION_BEFORE_23.9.6082> sudo apt-mark hold free-antivirus

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list free-antivirus sudo dnf downgrade free-antivirus-<VERSION_BEFORE_23.9.6082> sudo dnf versionlock add free-antivirus

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2024-7227?

free antivirus: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-7227 being exploited?

CVE-2024-7227 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2024-7227 affect?

CVE-2024-7227 affects free antivirus. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Avast Free Antivirus AvastSvc Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Avast Free Antivirus. An attacker must first obtain the abi

How urgent is CVE-2024-7227?

Priority 34/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-7233 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE Avast Free Antivirus AvastSvc Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
CVE-2024-7232 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE Avast Free Antivirus AvastSvc Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
CVE-2024-7228 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE Avast Free Antivirus Link Following Denial-of-Service Vulnerability

References

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