CVE-2004-1910 in Security Check Virus Detection
Summary
by MITRE
rufsi.dll in Symantec Virus Detection allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long string to the GetPrivateProfileString function. NOTE: this issue was originally reported as a buffer overflow, but that specific claim is disputed by the vendor, although a crash is acknowledged.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1910 affects the rufsi.dll component within Symantec Virus Detection software, representing a significant security weakness that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks. This flaw specifically targets the GetPrivateProfileString function, which is a standard windows API call used for retrieving string values from configuration files. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation within the rufsi.dll library, where the system fails to properly handle excessively long string inputs that are passed to this particular function.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer management issue where the application does not enforce proper bounds checking on user-supplied data. When an attacker sends a malformed string of excessive length to the GetPrivateProfileString function through the rufsi.dll interface, the system's memory handling mechanisms become overwhelmed, resulting in application instability and subsequent system crashes. This behavior aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow vulnerabilities, though the vendor has disputed the specific classification as a buffer overflow, acknowledging only the crash manifestation. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely without authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the overall security posture of systems running affected Symantec software. When the targeted application crashes, it creates an opportunity for attackers to perform persistent denial of service attacks that can render critical security monitoring tools ineffective. This is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Symantec Virus Detection serves as a primary defense mechanism against malware threats. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on the rufsi.dll component for configuration management and can impact various network security devices and endpoint protection systems that utilize Symantec's detection libraries. The crash condition can be exploited repeatedly, potentially leading to sustained service unavailability and creating conditions where legitimate security functions are disrupted.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1910 should focus on immediate patching of affected Symantec software components, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable systems and monitor for suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks, and organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that all Symantec products are updated to versions that address this specific vulnerability, as the original vendor has acknowledged the crash condition and provided remediation through software updates. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any other potentially affected components within the enterprise infrastructure that might utilize similar vulnerable libraries.