CVE-2003-1451 in Norton Antivirus
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Symantec Norton AntiVirus 2002 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an e-mail attachment with a compressed ZIP file that contains a file with a long filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1451 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Symantec Norton AntiVirus 2002 software that exposes systems to remote code execution attacks through email attachments. This weakness specifically manifests when the antivirus software processes compressed zip files containing filenames that exceed predetermined buffer limits, creating a scenario where malicious actors can exploit the software's inadequate input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of software security and email-based attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where email remains a primary communication channel and antivirus solutions serve as the first line of defense against malicious content.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from improper handling of filename length validation within the zip file extraction process of Norton AntiVirus 2002. When processing compressed archives, the software fails to adequately validate the length of filenames contained within the archive before copying them into fixed-size buffers. This flaw directly maps to CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient space is allocated for data being copied into buffers. The vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious zip files containing filenames that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and executable code segments. This type of memory corruption typically enables attackers to redirect program execution flow and inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the affected antivirus process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise when attackers successfully exploit the buffer overflow. Organizations running Norton AntiVirus 2002 are particularly vulnerable because the antivirus software typically operates with elevated privileges to perform its protective functions, making successful exploitation equivalent to gaining administrative access to target systems. The attack vector through email attachments represents a common and effective method for initial compromise, as users often trust email-based communications and may inadvertently open malicious attachments without proper security awareness. This vulnerability also demonstrates the risks associated with legacy antivirus solutions that may not receive timely security updates or patches, leaving organizations exposed to known attack patterns that have been documented and exploited in the cybersecurity landscape.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1451 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates for Norton AntiVirus 2002, which typically include enhanced input validation and buffer size management for zip file processing. Organizations should implement email filtering solutions that scan and quarantine suspicious attachments before they reach end users, particularly focusing on compressed file types that are commonly used in such attacks. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the impact if exploitation occurs, ensuring that even if an attacker gains code execution capabilities, they cannot immediately escalate privileges or move laterally within the network. Additionally, implementing security awareness training for users to recognize potentially malicious email attachments and establishing robust incident response procedures for detecting and responding to such vulnerabilities represents a comprehensive approach to defending against this class of attack. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify and remediate similar issues in other security software components within the organization's IT infrastructure.