Kaspersky Anti-Virus Engine CHM File Parser Buffer Overflow
Vulnerability
iDEFENSE Security Advisory 10.10.05
www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=318&type=vulnerabilities
October 10, 2005
I. BACKGROUND
Kaspersky Anti-Virus Engine (KAV) is a popular virus scanning engine
for Windows and Linux. The Kaspersky Anti-Virus Engine is commonly
included in various vendors' network mail gateway and host-based anti-
virus products.
II. DESCRIPTION
Remote exploitation of a buffer overflow vulnerability in Kaspersky
Labs' Anti-Virus Engine allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary
code. Kaspersky Anti-Virus Engine is used by multiple vendors in Linux
virus scanner products and exploitation requires minimal interaction by
a targeted user.
The Kasperksy Anti-Virus Engine (KAV) is found in many gateway and
host-based anti-virus scanners. The vulnerability specifically exists
in the CHM file parser within the KAV engine. When a corrupt CHM file
is scanned by the KAV engine, a heap overflow can occur which allows
remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with permissions of the
anti-virus application's process, usually user privileges. On Microsoft
platforms, affected software has not been shown to execute arbitrary
code, however Kaspersky Anti-Virus will fail to scan any files after a
corrupt CHM file has been encountered, thus allowing further malicious
codes to reach the target.
III. ANALYSIS
Successful exploitation of the vulnerability can result in remote
arbitrary code execution or the disabling of anti-virus functionality.
In the case of Linux platforms, specifically network gateways, user
interaction is not required and can lead to the compromise of trusted
systems. In addition, compromising mail gateways can lead to further
compromise of internal hosts by injecting malicious code into mail
attachments.
IV. DETECTION
iDEFENSE Labs has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in the
following products (tested April 2005):
* Kaspersky Personal 5.0.227
* Kaspersky Anti-Virus On-Demand Scanner for Linux 5.0.5
* F-Secure Anti-Virus for Linux 4.50
All products utilizing the Kaspersky Anti-Virus engine are potentially
vulnerable.
The vendor has notified iDEFENSE that the vulnerability has been
addressed via a signature update. Users who have updated their
signatures after July 2005 are reportedly not affected.
V. WORKAROUND
iDEFENSE is currently unaware of any effective workarounds for this
issue.
VI. VENDOR RESPONSE
The vendor has notified iDEFENSE that the vulnerability has been
addressed via a signature update. Users who have updated their
signatures after July 2005 are reportedly not affected. Update your
anti-virus signatures to ensure the vulnerability has been addressed.
VII. CVE INFORMATION
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CAN-2005-2937 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for
security problems.
VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
06/20/2005 Initial vendor notification
10/05/2005 Initial vendor response
10/10/2005 Public disclosure
IX. CREDIT
The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous.
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X. LEGAL NOTICES
Copyright (c) 2005 iDEFENSE, Inc.
Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert
electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express
written consent of iDEFENSE. If you wish to reprint the whole or any
part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please
email customerservice@private for permission.
Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect,
or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on,
this information.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.3 : Mon Oct 10 2005 - 21:04:20 PDT