CVE-2001-1149 in Antivirus Platinum
Summary
by MITRE
Panda Antivirus Platinum before 6.23.00 allows a remore attacker to cause a denial of service (crash) when a user selects an action for a malformed UPX packed executable file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1149 represents a classic buffer overflow condition within Panda Antivirus Platinum software version 6.23.00 and earlier. This flaw manifests when the antivirus engine attempts to process executable files that have been packed using the UPX (Ultimate Packer for eXecutables) compression utility. The issue occurs specifically during user interaction with malformed UPX packed files, where the antivirus software fails to properly validate the file structure before attempting to analyze it. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the antivirus parsing routines that handle compressed executable formats.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates as a remote denial of service attack vector that exploits the software's failure to properly handle malformed file headers. When a user interacts with a specially crafted UPX packed executable, the antivirus engine attempts to parse the file structure without adequate bounds checking. This leads to memory corruption that ultimately causes the antivirus application to crash and terminate unexpectedly. The flaw is particularly concerning because it can be triggered remotely through user interaction with malicious files, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt security operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-129, which covers insufficient validation of array indices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the overall security posture of systems running vulnerable antivirus software. When the antivirus application crashes, it leaves systems temporarily unprotected against malware threats, creating a window of vulnerability that attackers can exploit. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can potentially deliver malicious UPX packed files through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing networks. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability and reliability of endpoint protection services, as users may experience unexpected application failures when encountering legitimate or malicious files. The issue can also affect system administrators who rely on consistent antivirus functionality for security monitoring and incident response activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates to version 6.23.00 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the malformed file handling issue. Organizations should implement additional protective measures including email filtering, web proxy scanning, and network-based malware detection systems to reduce exposure to potentially malicious files. Security teams should also consider implementing file reputation systems and sandboxing mechanisms to analyze suspicious executable files before they reach endpoint systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in security software, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs should include testing for similar buffer overflow conditions in other security applications to prevent similar disruptions in the future.