CVE-2005-3228 in Ikarus AntiVirus
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple interpretation error in unspecified versions of Ikarus AntiVirus allows remote attackers to bypass virus detection via a malicious executable in a specially crafted RAR file with malformed central and local headers, which can still be opened by products such as Winrar and PowerZip, even though they are rejected as corrupted by Winzip and BitZipper.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3228 represents a significant weakness in Ikarus AntiVirus software that stems from improper handling of archive file structures during malware detection processes. This issue specifically affects unspecified versions of the antivirus solution and demonstrates a critical flaw in how the software interprets and processes compressed file formats, particularly RAR archives that contain malicious payloads designed to evade detection mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a sophisticated manipulation of RAR file headers, where attackers craft malicious executables within specially constructed RAR archives that contain both malformed central and local headers. This manipulation exploits the way Ikarus AntiVirus processes archive files, creating a scenario where the software fails to properly validate the integrity of the archive structure while still allowing the archive to be successfully extracted and executed by legitimate archive tools such as WinRAR and PowerZip. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of archive file parsing and antivirus signature detection, creating a false positive scenario where the antivirus system incorrectly identifies the malicious content as legitimate due to its ability to bypass standard validation checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple malware evasion, as it represents a fundamental failure in the antivirus software's ability to properly validate file integrity and structure. Attackers can leverage this weakness to deliver malicious payloads that would otherwise be detected and blocked by standard antivirus scanning mechanisms, effectively creating a bypass mechanism that undermines the security posture of systems running vulnerable versions of Ikarus AntiVirus. This vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input, and demonstrates how malformed input handling can lead to security bypass scenarios. The fact that legitimate archive tools can still process these files while antivirus solutions reject them as corrupted creates a dangerous inconsistency in security validation that attackers can exploit.
This vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic," as the malicious execution often involves crafted scripts or executables that are embedded within the malformed archive structures. The attack vector specifically targets the archive extraction and validation process, where the antivirus solution's failure to properly validate RAR file structures allows malicious code to pass through undetected. The security implications extend to potential privilege escalation scenarios where attackers can leverage this bypass to execute malicious code on systems that believe they are protected by Ikarus AntiVirus. Organizations running vulnerable versions face significant risk as this vulnerability enables attackers to circumvent endpoint protection mechanisms that should prevent the execution of malicious code from compressed archives.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Ikarus AntiVirus versions and implementation of additional validation layers for archive processing. System administrators should implement network-based detection measures and monitor for suspicious archive extraction activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and the need for robust archive file structure verification in security software, as outlined in industry best practices for secure coding and vulnerability management. Organizations should also consider implementing multiple layers of security validation, including sandboxing techniques and behavioral analysis, to detect and prevent exploitation of similar header manipulation vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and updates to antivirus signature databases remain crucial in preventing exploitation of such structural weaknesses in archive processing systems.