CVE-2024-7228: Avast Free Antivirus Link Following Denial-of-Service Vulnerability

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2024-7228 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting free antivirus. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Avast Free Antivirus Link Following Denial-of-Service Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to create a denial-of-service condition 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 service

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 77%)
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: 23.11.6090 build_23.11.8365.809

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 23.11.6090

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 23.11.6090 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison free-antivirus sudo apt install free-antivirus=<VERSION_BEFORE_23.11.6090> 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_23.11.6090> 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-2024-7228?

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

Is CVE-2024-7228 being exploited?

CVE-2024-7228 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-2024-7228 affect?

CVE-2024-7228 affects free antivirus. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). Avast Free Antivirus Link Following Denial-of-Service Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to create a denial-of-service condition on affected installations of Avast Free Antivirus. An attacker must first obtain the abil

How urgent is CVE-2024-7228?

Priority 25/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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-2024-7227 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE Avast Free Antivirus AvastSvc Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

References

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