Australia's Leading Computer Emergency Response Team

AA-2005.0033 -- [Win] -- Buffer overflow in Symantec AntiVirus products
Date: 21 December 2005
Original URL: http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?cid=21&it=5860

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AA-2005.0033                  AUSCERT Advisory

                                   [Win]
              Buffer overflow in Symantec AntiVirus products
                             21 December 2005
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        AusCERT Advisory Summary
        ------------------------

Product:           Symantec AntiVirus
                   Symantec Brightmail AntiSpam
                   Symantec Client Security
                   Symantec Mail Security
                   Symantec Norton AntiVirus
                   Symantec Norton Internet Security
                   Symantec Web Security
Operating System:  Windows
Impact:            Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands
Access:            Remote/Unauthenticated
Member-only until: Wednesday, January 18 2006

Original Bulletin: http://www.rem0te.com/public/images/symc2.pdf
                   http://secunia.com/advisories/18131/

OVERVIEW:

        Multiple Symantec AntiVirus products are vulnerable[1] to a heap-
        based buffer overflow vulnerability in its RAR file handling
        routines.
        This could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the
        affected machines, in some cases irrespective of whether a user has
        opened an emailed RAR file or even read the email it is attached to.
	

IMPACT:

        An attacker could execute arbitrary code or commands on an affected
        machine by sending a specially crafted RAR file via email to a user
        on that machine. This could then be leveraged to access otherwise
        inaccessible machines, or to lead to a system compromise.


MITIGATION:

        At the time of writing this vulnerability has yet to be patched,
        however filtering of RAR files at email and proxy gateways or
        disabling scanning of RAR compressed files[2] will mitigate this
        problem. Note however that the latter may open machines to
        infection of viruses within RAR archives.


REFERENCES:

        [1] Secunia Advisory SA18131
            http://secunia.com/advisories/18131/

        [2] Rem0te Advisory
            http://www.rem0te.com/public/images/symc2.pdf

AusCERT has made every effort to ensure that the information contained
in this document is accurate.  However, the decision to use the information
described is the responsibility of each user or organisation. The decision to
follow or act on information or advice contained in this security bulletin is
the responsibility of each user or organisation, and should be considered in
accordance with your organisation's site policies and procedures. AusCERT
takes no responsibility for consequences which may arise from following or
acting on information or advice contained in this security bulletin.

If you believe that your computer system has been compromised or attacked in 
any way, we encourage you to let us know by completing the secure National IT 
Incident Reporting Form at:

        http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=3192

===========================================================================
Australian Computer Emergency Response Team
The University of Queensland
Brisbane
Qld 4072

Internet Email: auscert@auscert.org.au
Facsimile:      (07) 3365 7031
Telephone:      (07) 3365 4417 (International: +61 7 3365 4417)
                AusCERT personnel answer during Queensland business hours
                which are GMT+10:00 (AEST).
                On call after hours for member emergencies only.
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