CVE-2005-2957 in AVIRA
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in AVIRA Desktop for Windows 1.00.00.68 with AVPACK32.DLL 6.31.0.3, when archive scanning is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long filename in an ACE archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2957 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow condition that affects AVIRA Desktop version 1.00.00.68 and its associated AVPACK32.DLL component version 6.31.0.3. This security flaw specifically manifests when the software performs archive scanning operations, creating a dangerous execution path that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. The vulnerability operates through a carefully crafted malicious ACE archive that contains an excessively long filename, which when processed by the vulnerable scanning mechanism triggers the buffer overflow condition.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of filename length validation within the AVPACK32.DLL library. When an ACE archive is processed with archive scanning enabled, the software fails to properly validate the length of filenames contained within the archive structure. This oversight allows an attacker to craft a filename that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack, causing a classic stack-based buffer overflow. The overflow occurs because the software uses unsafe string handling functions that do not perform adequate bounds checking, enabling the attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations with malicious code. This condition directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite stack data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it creates a significant attack surface for remote exploitation. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the AVIRA Desktop process, which typically runs with elevated permissions on the target system. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker does not need physical access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments. Once successfully exploited, the attacker gains the ability to install malware, modify system files, establish persistence mechanisms, and potentially escalate privileges to administrator or system level access. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the executed code can include shell commands or scripts that further compromise the system.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in security software, particularly in anti-virus and anti-malware applications that process untrusted data from external sources. AVIRA Desktop, like many security tools, must handle files from potentially malicious sources, making proper buffer management essential. The vulnerability affects systems where archive scanning is enabled, which represents a common and necessary feature for comprehensive threat detection. The ACE archive format, while less common than ZIP or RAR formats, still represents a legitimate file type that security software must process, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that rely on comprehensive archive scanning capabilities. This flaw underscores the principle that security software itself can contain vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to bypass the very protections it provides.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected AVIRA Desktop software to version 1.00.00.69 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also consider disabling archive scanning functionality if it is not essential for their security operations, reducing the attack surface. Network administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious archive processing activities and consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to exploit this vulnerability. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking for filename lengths and using safer string manipulation functions that prevent buffer overflows. Security teams should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially vulnerable components within their security infrastructure that might be susceptible to similar buffer overflow conditions. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security updates and the importance of maintaining comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address both known and emerging threats in security software ecosystems.