iDefense Security Advisory 02.26.08 http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/ Feb 26, 2008 I. BACKGROUND Symantec Scan Engine is a standalone Anti-Virus Engine that exposes a scanning Application Programming Interface (API) directly to developers who wish to integrate protection into their own custom applications. More information is available on the vendor's site at the following URL. http://www.symantec.com/enterprise/products/overview.jsp?pcid=1008&pvid=836_1 II. DESCRIPTION Remote exploitation of a stack based buffer overflow vulnerability in Symantec Scan Engine version 5.1.2 could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the scan engine process. Symantec Scan Engine listens on TCP port 1344 to accept files for scanning using the Internet Content Adaptation Protocol (ICAP). If the service is sent a specially malformed RAR file, a stack-based buffer overflow will occur. III. ANALYSIS Exploitation allows remote unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the scan engine process. The scan engine can be configured to run either as a normal user or as root. In order to exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must be able to cause a malicious RAR file to be scanned by the Symantec Scan Engine. Normally, no authentication is required to reach the vulnerable code. IV. DETECTION iDefense has confirmed this vulnerability in the Linux build of the Symantec Scan Engine version 5.1.2. This issue does not affect the Windows build of the product. Previous versions are suspected to be vulnerable. V. WORKAROUND iDefense is currently unaware of any workaround for this issue. VI. VENDOR RESPONSE Symantec has addressed this vulnerability by releasing updates for various versions of the Symantec Scan Engine. For more information, refer to their advisory at the following URL. http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/security/Content/2008.02.27.html VII. CVE INFORMATION The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the name CVE-2008-0309 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 06/14/2007 Initial vendor notification 06/14/2007 Initial vendor response 02/26/2008 Coordinated public disclosure IX. CREDIT The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous. 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 © 2008 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@idefense.com 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. _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.grok.org.uk/full-disclosure-charter.html Hosted and sponsored by Secunia - http://secunia.com/