CVE-2002-1774 in Norton Antivirus
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** NOTE: this issue has been disputed by the vendor. Symantec Norton AntiVirus 2002 allows remote attackers to send viruses that bypass the e-mail scanning via a NULL character in the MIME header before the virus. NOTE: the vendor has disputed this issue, acknowledging that the initial scan is bypassed, but the AutoProtect feature would detect the virus before it is executed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1774 relates to a potential bypass mechanism within Symantec Norton AntiVirus 2002 email scanning functionality. This issue specifically targets the MIME header processing capabilities of the antivirus software, where the presence of a NULL character in the email header could allow malicious payloads to evade initial detection. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically affecting email security protocols and antivirus scanning mechanisms. According to the vendor's disputed assessment, while the initial scan may be bypassed due to the NULL character manipulation, the AutoProtect feature should still detect and neutralize the threat before execution occurs. This discrepancy between vendor acknowledgment and reported security implications highlights the complexity of email security implementations and the challenges in accurately assessing threat vectors within MIME protocol handling. The vulnerability demonstrates how subtle character manipulations within email headers can potentially circumvent security controls designed to detect malicious content.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from improper handling of NULL characters within MIME headers during email scanning processes. When a malicious email contains a NULL character positioned before virus content in the MIME header, the scanning algorithm fails to properly identify the threat during its initial analysis phase. This represents a weakness in input validation and parsing mechanisms within the antivirus software's email processing pipeline. The vulnerability operates under CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and potentially CWE-20, which covers input validation issues. The NULL character injection technique exploits the way the software processes header information, creating a parsing anomaly that allows malicious content to slip through security controls. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1074.001, which involves data staging through email, specifically targeting the initial detection phase of email security systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple bypass scenarios, as it could potentially allow attackers to deliver malicious payloads that would otherwise be detected by standard email scanning protocols. The fact that AutoProtect provides subsequent detection offers a layered defense mechanism but introduces a window of opportunity where the system remains vulnerable during the initial scanning phase. This vulnerability affects organizations relying on Norton AntiVirus 2002 for email security, potentially allowing attackers to establish footholds through email-based attacks. The timeframe between initial scanning and AutoProtect activation creates a security gap that malicious actors could exploit, particularly in environments where email security is critical and immediate threat detection is essential. The disputed nature of this vulnerability suggests that while the initial bypass may be valid, the vendor's response indicates that the overall security posture remains intact through secondary detection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive email security measures beyond the single point of failure represented by the initial scanning phase. Organizations should ensure that multiple layers of email security are active, including real-time scanning, content filtering, and behavior-based detection systems. The recommended approach involves updating to newer versions of antivirus software that properly handle NULL character sequences in MIME headers, as well as implementing additional email security appliances or services that provide redundant protection. Security administrators should consider deploying multiple independent scanning mechanisms that operate simultaneously rather than relying on a single detection point. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping antivirus definitions current and implementing regular security assessments to identify potential bypass mechanisms. Organizations should conduct thorough testing of email security systems to ensure that character sequence manipulation cannot be used to evade detection, particularly in environments where email-based attacks are common.