CVE-2002-2285 in InoculateIT
Summary
by MITRE
eTrust InoculateIT 6.0 with the "Incremental Scan" option enabled may certify that a file is free of viruses before the file has been completely downloaded, which allows remote attackers to bypass virus detection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-2285 affects eTrust InoculateIT version 6.0 when the Incremental Scan feature is activated, creating a critical security flaw in the antivirus software's file verification process. This issue represents a significant bypass of security controls that directly impacts the integrity of virus detection mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the software's improper handling of file scanning operations during the download process, where the system prematurely validates files before completing their full transmission. This behavior creates a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust in incomplete file verification.
The technical flaw manifests through the Incremental Scan option's design which allows the antivirus engine to perform virus checks on files while they are still being transmitted over the network. When this feature is enabled, the software's scanning algorithm evaluates file contents against its virus database before the complete file has been received and written to disk. This premature certification of file safety occurs because the system does not wait for the entire file download to complete before performing the virus scan validation. The vulnerability creates a race condition between the download process and the scanning process, allowing attackers to manipulate the timing to execute malicious code before the antivirus can properly analyze the complete file. This flaw directly relates to CWE-362, which addresses race conditions in security-critical operations, and CWE-20, which covers improper input validation during file processing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that antivirus systems rely upon for network security. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious files that appear clean during the initial portion of their download, then injecting malicious code during the final segments of transmission. This allows them to bypass detection mechanisms that would normally identify threats during complete file analysis. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where network-based file transfers occur frequently, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged across multiple attack scenarios. Security professionals must consider that this vulnerability enables attackers to circumvent protection mechanisms that are designed to prevent malware execution, potentially leading to system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within affected networks.
The implications extend beyond immediate exploitation as this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in how the antivirus software handles concurrent processes and file validation. Attackers can leverage this weakness through techniques that involve carefully timed file transfers, potentially using network manipulation or protocol-level attacks to ensure that malicious code is injected during the final stages of download while the system incorrectly validates the file as clean. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1070.004, which covers "File Deletion" through manipulation of file validation processes, and T1566, which involves "Phishing with Malicious Attachments" where the timing of file delivery can be manipulated to evade detection. Organizations implementing this vulnerable software face increased risk of successful malware delivery, particularly in environments where network traffic is monitored but not properly segmented to prevent such bypasses. The flaw essentially creates a false sense of security where the system's own detection capabilities are undermined by their own operational design.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues. Organizations should immediately disable the Incremental Scan feature in affected eTrust InoculateIT installations and implement proper file validation procedures that ensure complete file reception before security analysis. Network administrators should consider implementing additional layers of protection such as network-based intrusion detection systems that can detect anomalous file transfer patterns and implement proper file integrity checks. The recommended approach includes updating to patched versions of the software where available, implementing strict file validation policies that require complete file transfers before security scanning, and establishing monitoring procedures that can detect and alert on suspicious file transfer behaviors. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and network segmentation to limit the impact of potential exploitation, while ensuring that all file processing operations follow proper completion validation before any security certification is issued.