Symantec Norton Internet Security 2006 COM Object Security ByPass Vulnerability iDefense Security Advisory 05.09.07 http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/ May 09, 2007 I. BACKGROUND Norton Internet Security 2006 is a comprehensive system security suite that offers protection from spyware, viruses, identity theft, spam, and malicious network traffic. More information can be found on the vendors site at the following URL. http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overview.jsp?pcid=is&pvid=nis2006 II. DESCRIPTION Remote exploitation of a design error vulnerability in an ActiveX control installed by Symantec Norton Internet Security 2006 could allow for the execution of arbitrary code. Norton Internet Security 2006 installs the following ActiveX control which is registered as safe for scripting: Progid: Symantec.Norton.AntiVirus.NAVOptions Clsid: 085ABFE2-D753-445C-8A2A-D4BD46CE0811 File: C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\NAVOpts.dll Version: 12.2.0.13 This control was designed for use in a application embedded web browser rather than a native Internet Explorer window. When this control is loaded in a standard browser window, it throws an error during initialization which leaves the browser in a defunct state. After the error dialog displays, other Symantec ActiveX Controls can be created without error even if they are not marked as safe for scripting. This can lead to remote code execution if the unsafe controls contain exploitable methods. III. ANALYSIS Exploitation allows malicious websites to load certain Symantec ActiveX Controls which were not designed or secured for web use. This condition can lead to the execution of arbitrary code in situations where unsafe controls contain exploitable vulnerabilities. IV. DETECTION iDefense confirmed the existence of this vulnerability within version 12.2.0.13 of NavOpts.dll as distributed with Norton Internet Security 2006. Prior versions are suspected to be vulnerable. V. WORKAROUND Setting the kill-bit for the ActiveX control will prevent this component from loading in Internet Explorer. Although this will prevent potential exploitation, it may also negatively impact the functionality of the application. VI. VENDOR RESPONSE Symantec has addressed this vulnerability with a software update. The update is available via their LiveUpdate channels. For more information, consult their advisory at the following URL. http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/security/Content/2007.05.09.html VII. CVE INFORMATION The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the name CVE-2006-3456 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 12/13/2006 Initial vendor notification 12/13/2006 Initial vendor response 05/09/2007 Coordinated public disclosure IX. CREDIT This vulnerability was reported to iDefense by Peter Vreugdenhil. Get paid for vulnerability research http://labs.idefense.com/methodology/vulnerability/vcp.php Free tools, research and upcoming events http://labs.idefense.com/ X. LEGAL NOTICES Copyright © 2007 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 e-mail 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.
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