CVE-2005-0668 in HTTP Anti Virus Proxy HAVP
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in HTTP Anti Virus Proxy (HAVP) before 0.51 prevents viruses from being properly detected in certain files such as (1) .CAB or (2) .ZIP files.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0668 represents a critical security flaw within the HTTP Anti Virus Proxy (HAVP) software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 0.51. This weakness manifests in the improper detection of malicious content within compressed archive files, creating a significant gap in network security infrastructure that could allow malware to bypass protective measures. The vulnerability impacts the core functionality of the proxy by failing to adequately scan specific file types that are commonly used for distributing malicious payloads, thereby undermining the intended security posture of organizations relying on this protection mechanism.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient file type handling within the HAVP scanning engine, particularly when processing .CAB and .ZIP archive formats. These file types are frequently exploited by cyber attackers due to their widespread use in legitimate software distribution and their ability to encapsulate malicious code within compressed containers. The flaw occurs during the decompression and subsequent virus scanning process, where the system fails to properly analyze the contents of these archives, allowing potentially infected files to pass through undetected. This represents a failure in the application's input validation and processing logic, specifically within the archive extraction and malware detection pathways that are fundamental to the proxy's security function.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0668 extends beyond simple detection failures, as it creates a persistent security risk for organizations that depend on HAVP for network protection. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by embedding malicious code within .CAB or .ZIP files, knowing that these payloads may evade detection mechanisms that are supposed to prevent their spread throughout the network. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-427, which addresses uncontrolled search path modifications that can occur during file processing. The implications are particularly severe given that both .CAB and .ZIP formats are commonly used in software updates, email attachments, and file sharing scenarios, making the attack surface for exploitation quite broad.
Organizations utilizing HAVP versions prior to 0.51 face significant risk of malware infiltration, as this vulnerability effectively creates a backdoor for malicious actors to bypass network security controls. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.004, which covers "File Deletion," and T1133, which addresses "External Remote Services," as attackers can leverage the compromised proxy to gain unauthorized access to network resources. The weakness creates a false sense of security for administrators who may believe their network is protected against file-based threats, when in reality, critical attack vectors remain unaddressed. This vulnerability also demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege, as the proxy's functionality is compromised in a way that allows malicious code to execute with elevated privileges within the network environment.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2005-0668 requires immediate deployment of HAVP version 0.51 or later, which includes enhanced scanning capabilities for compressed file formats. Organizations should also implement additional layers of security such as content filtering, network segmentation, and regular security audits to compensate for the vulnerability's impact. The fix addresses the root cause by improving the archive handling mechanisms and ensuring that all file contents are properly analyzed regardless of their compression format. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and the potential consequences of relying on outdated protection mechanisms that may contain known security gaps.