CVE-2005-1770 in Avast! Antivirus
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Aavmker4 device driver in Avast! Antivirus 4.6 and possibly other versions allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via certain signals combined with crafted input.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1770 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Aavmker4 device driver component of Avast! Antivirus version 4.6 and potentially other iterations of the software. This issue resides in the kernel-mode driver responsible for system-level operations and security functions, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by local adversaries with system access. The flaw manifests when the driver processes certain signals combined with crafted input data, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory structures beyond their intended boundaries. Such buffer overflow conditions typically occur when programs write more data to a fixed-length buffer than it can accommodate, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow scenario where insufficient input validation occurs within the Aavmker4 device driver. When legitimate system signals are combined with maliciously constructed input parameters, the driver fails to properly bounds-check data before storing it in memory buffers. This lack of proper input sanitization creates an opportunity for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical system data structures or executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the buffer overflow could be exploited to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for local attackers who already possess system access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents substantial risks to system stability and security integrity. Local users who can access the system with basic privileges can potentially trigger system crashes that result in denial of service conditions, disrupting normal operations and potentially causing data loss. However, the more severe implications arise from the potential for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution, which could allow attackers to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors within the affected systems. The device driver nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation could occur at kernel level, bypassing standard user-mode security controls and potentially affecting the entire system's security posture.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1770 should focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. Avast! released updates to address this vulnerability in subsequent versions of their antivirus software, and organizations should prioritize applying these security patches to eliminate the risk. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as disabling unnecessary device drivers, implementing strict input validation procedures, and monitoring for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1055 for privilege escalation through kernel-mode exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and runtime protection mechanisms to prevent exploitation of similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other system components.