CVE-2004-2276 in F-Secure
Summary
by MITRE
F-Secure Anti-Virus 5.41 and 5.42 on Windows, Client Security 5.50 and 5.52, 4.60 for Samba Servers, and 4.52 and earlier for Linux does not properly detect certain viruses in a PKZip archive, which allows viruses such as Sober.D and Sober.G to bypass initial detection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2017
This vulnerability represents a critical flaw in multiple versions of F-Secure Anti-Virus software across different platforms and operating systems. The issue affects F-Secure Anti-Virus versions 5.41 and 5.42 on Windows platforms, Client Security versions 5.50 and 5.52, Samba Server versions 4.60, and Linux versions 4.52 and earlier. The core problem lies in the software's inability to properly scan and detect specific malware variants within PKZip archive files, creating a significant security gap that allows malicious code to evade initial protection mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate signature matching and heuristic analysis within the archive scanning functionality. When virus files are compressed within PKZip archives, the F-Secure detection engine fails to properly decompress and analyze the contained malicious code. This vulnerability specifically impacts the detection of Sober.D and Sober.G variants, which are known worms that spread through email attachments and file sharing networks. The issue manifests as a false negative condition where legitimate malware is not identified during the initial scan process, allowing infected files to pass through security controls undetected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple detection failure, creating a dangerous scenario where organizations using affected F-Secure versions may experience security breaches. Attackers can exploit this weakness by embedding malicious code within PKZip archives, knowing that the target systems' antivirus software may not identify the threat. This creates a window of opportunity for malware propagation, particularly in environments where email filtering and file scanning are primary defense mechanisms. The vulnerability affects both Windows and Linux environments, making it particularly concerning for heterogeneous network infrastructures.
This issue aligns with CWE-471, which addresses the weakness of "Incorrectly Handling of Modified Data," and represents a failure in the input validation and processing of compressed archive files. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1070.004, which covers "Indicator Removal on Host: File Deletion," as the malware can persist undetected within archive files. The vulnerability also relates to T1566, "Phishing," as attackers can leverage this weakness to deliver malicious payloads through email attachments that appear legitimate but contain infected compressed files.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of F-Secure Anti-Virus software, particularly versions that address archive scanning capabilities and signature updates. System administrators should implement additional layers of protection including network-based scanning, behavioral analysis tools, and regular manual verification of suspicious archive files. The remediation process should include comprehensive system scans using updated virus definitions and monitoring for any signs of compromise. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and email filtering solutions to minimize the risk of infection through compressed file attachments, as the vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that could be exploited across multiple attack surfaces.