ZDI-11-032: Symantec Intel Alert Originator Service iao.exe Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-11-032

January 27, 2011

-- CVE ID:
CVE-2010-111

-- CVSS:
10, (AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C)

-- Affected Vendors:
Symantec

-- Affected Products:
Symantec Alert Management System

-- TippingPoint(TM) IPS Customer Protection:
TippingPoint IPS customers have been protected against this
vulnerability by Digital Vaccine protection filter ID 5959.
For further product information on the TippingPoint IPS, visit:

    http://www.tippingpoint.com

-- Vulnerability Details:
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on
vulnerable installations of multiple Symantec products. Authentication
is not required to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the Intel Alert Originator (iao.exe)
service. While processing messages sent from the msgsys.exe process a
size check can be bypassed and a subsequent stack-based buffer overflow
can be triggered. This can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute
arbitrary code under the context of the Alert service.

-- Vendor Response:
Symantec has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More
details can be found at:

http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&year=2011&suid=20110126_00

-- Disclosure Timeline:
2009-10-27 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
2011-01-27 - Coordinated public release of advisory

-- Credit:
This vulnerability was discovered by:
    * Anonymous

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