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Symantec Norton Internet Security 2008 ActiveX Control Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

BACKGROUND

Norton Internet Security 2008 is a system security suite that offers protection from spyware, viruses, identity theft, spam, and malicious network traffic. More information can be found on the vendor's site at the following URL.

http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overview.jsp?pcid=is&pvid=nis2008

DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a buffer overflow vulnerability in an ActiveX control installed by Symantec Norton Internet Security 2008 could allow for the execution of arbitrary code.

Norton Internet Security 2008 installs the following ActiveX control which is registered as safe for scripting:

 Clsid: 3451DEDE-631F-421c-8127-FD793AFC6CC8 File: C:PROGRA~1COMMON~1SYMANT~1SUPPOR~1SymAData.dll Version 2.7.0.1 

This control contains an exploitable stack based buffer overflow.

ANALYSIS

Exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged in user. In order for exploitation to occur, an attacker would have to lure a vulnerable user to a malicious web site.

While this control is marked as safe for scripting, the control has been designed so that it can only be run from the "symantec.com" domain. In practice this requirement can be bypassed through the use of any Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Symantec domain. Exploitation could also occur through the use of DNS poisoning attacks.

DETECTION

iDefense confirmed that this vulnerability exists in version 2.7.0.1 of the control that is installed with the 2008 version of Norton Internet Security. Other versions may also be available.

WORKAROUND

Setting the kill-bit for this control will prevent it from being loaded within Internet Explorer. However, doing so will prevent legitimate use of the control.

VENDOR RESPONSE

Symantec has addressed this vulnerability by releasing updates. For more information, refer to their advisory at the following URL.

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/security/Content/2008.04.02a.html

CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the name CVE-2008-0312 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which standardizes names for security problems.

DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

12/05/2007 Initial vendor notification
12/05/2007 Initial vendor response
04/02/2008 Coordinated public disclosure

CREDIT

This vulnerability was reported to iDefense by Peter Vreugdenhil.

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LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2008 Verisign, 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 customer service 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.