// back

Trend Micro AntiVirus UPX Parsing Kernel Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

BACKGROUND

The Trend Micro AntiVirus scan engine provides anti-virus capabilities to desktop, server and gateway systems. The engine is licensed to several of Trend Micro's OEM partners. More information is available on Trend Micro's web site at the following URL.

http://www.trendmicro.com/

DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a buffer overflow vulnerability within Trend Micro's AntiVirus engine could allow an attacker to crash the scan engine or execute arbitrary code.

This vulnerability is caused by improper input validation when scanning specially crafted malformed UPX compressed executables. Memory corruption could occur leading to a invalid memory access or a potentially exploitable condition.

ANALYSIS

Exploitation allows attackers to crash the scan engine or execute arbitrary code.

This vulnerability could be used to gain unauthorized access to machines through common protocols, e.g. SMTP, HTTP, FTP. No authentication is required for an attacker to leverage this vulnerability.

Under Windows, the scan engine runs in kernel context. Under Linux, the scan engine runs as a daemon with superuser privileges. As such, an attacker can take complete control of the affected system if successful code execution is attained.

DETECTION

iDefense has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in our vulnerability lab. The configurations at verification time were as follows:

• Trend Micro's PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007
• VsapiNI.sys (scan engine) version 3.320.0.1003

• ServerProtect for Linux v2.5 on RHEL 4.x
• vsapiapp version 8.310

Any implementations based on Trend Micro's AntiVirus scan engine are likely vulnerable in their default configuration.

WORKAROUND

iDefense is currently unaware of any effective workaround for this issue.

VENDOR RESPONSE

"To address this vulnerability, Trend Micro recommends customers to update to Virus Pattern File 4.245.00 or higher."

For more information, consult the Trend Micro Knowledge Base article at the link shown below.

http://esupport.trendmicro.com/support/viewxml.do?ContentID=EN-1034289

CVE INFORMATION

A Mitre Corp. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number has not been assigned yet.

DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

01/17/2007 Initial vendor notification
01/19/2007 Initial vendor response
02/07/2007 Coordinated public disclosure

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/

LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2006 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.