CVE-2005-2903 in NOD32 Antivirus
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in NOD32 2.5 with nod32.002 1.033 build 1127, with active scanning enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an ARJ archive containing a file with a long filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2903 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting ESET's NOD32 antivirus software version 2.5 with nod32.002 1.033 build 1127. This flaw specifically manifests when the antivirus engine performs active scanning of files, particularly when processing ARJ archive formats. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the archive extraction and filename handling components of the NOD32 scanning engine. The flaw occurs because the software fails to properly bounds-check filename lengths when extracting files from ARJ archives, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a specially formatted ARJ archive containing a file with an excessively long filename that exceeds the allocated heap buffer size. When NOD32 attempts to process this archive during active scanning, the oversized filename causes a buffer overflow in the heap memory region allocated for filename storage. This heap corruption can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical program data structures or function pointers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software memory management where insufficient bounds checking allows data to be written beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The specific nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal antivirus scanning operations, requiring no special privileges or user interaction beyond the presence of the malicious archive.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain arbitrary code execution within the context of the NOD32 process. This could potentially allow attackers to bypass security controls, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access to systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where antivirus solutions are deployed across multiple systems, as a single compromised archive could potentially compromise entire networks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads, install backdoors, or perform other malicious activities while the antivirus software is actively scanning. The fact that this vulnerability is triggered during active scanning operations means that it could be exploited in real-world scenarios without requiring specific user actions beyond the normal operation of the antivirus software. This makes it a significant threat vector that could be exploited by both automated attacks and targeted campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2903 should focus on immediate patching of the affected NOD32 version to the latest available security updates from ESET. Organizations should also implement network-based controls such as content filtering and archive scanning to prevent the execution of potentially malicious archives before they reach the antivirus engine. Additional defensive measures include implementing least privilege principles for antivirus processes, monitoring for unusual memory access patterns, and maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds that can identify malicious archives containing this specific vulnerability. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code through the compromised antivirus process. Network administrators should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for archive processing and maintaining robust backup and recovery procedures to mitigate potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.