CVE-2005-0643 in McAfee
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in McAfee Scan Engine 4320 with DAT version before 4357 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted LHA files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0643 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the McAfee Scan Engine component that affected versions prior to 4320 with DAT version before 4357. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of LHA (Lempel-Ziv-Arithmetic) compressed files, which are commonly used for archiving and distribution of software packages. The flaw exists in the decompression and parsing logic of the scan engine, where insufficient input validation and bounds checking allow maliciously crafted LHA files to trigger memory corruption during file processing. The buffer overflow occurs when the engine attempts to decompress or analyze the maliciously constructed LHA archive, causing the program to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer boundaries. This memory corruption can be exploited by remote attackers to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers, ultimately enabling arbitrary code execution on the targeted system. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic stack-based buffer overflow pattern that aligns with CWE-121, which describes unsafe use of fixed-length buffers, and is particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of McAfee products in enterprise environments. The attack vector is remote, meaning that an attacker can deliver a malicious LHA file through various network channels without requiring local access to the target system, making it a significant threat to organizations relying on McAfee's endpoint protection solutions. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware payloads. Organizations using affected McAfee Scan Engine versions face substantial risk, as the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against critical infrastructure, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, or unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices, as recommended in the Software Security Framework guidelines and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers may leverage such vulnerabilities to execute malicious commands. The root cause stems from inadequate bounds checking during LHA file processing, where the engine fails to properly validate the size and structure of compressed data before attempting to decompress it into fixed-size buffers. This flaw represents a fundamental security weakness in the software's defensive mechanisms and underscores the necessity for robust security testing and code review processes. The vulnerability requires no special privileges for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by any user who accesses or scans the malicious LHA file, potentially affecting both individual users and automated scanning systems. Remediation efforts should focus on immediate patch deployment to update the McAfee Scan Engine to version 4320 or later with DAT version 4357 or higher, while also implementing network-based controls to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious LHA files. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability may be used in conjunction with other attack techniques as part of broader compromise campaigns. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and the potential consequences of failing to apply security patches promptly. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can effectively detect and respond to similar vulnerabilities in other security products they may be using.