CVE-2005-3284 in V3Pro 2004
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in AhnLab V3 AntiVirus V3Pro 2004 before 6.0.0.488, V3Net for Windows Server 6.0 before 6.0.0.488, and MyV3, with compressed file scanning enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted (1) ALZ, (2) UUE, or (3) XXE archives.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3284 represents a critical buffer overflow issue affecting multiple versions of AhnLab V3 AntiVirus products including V3Pro 2004, V3Net for Windows Server, and MyV3 applications. This security flaw specifically manifests when compressed file scanning functionality is enabled, creating a dangerous condition where attackers can exploit malformed archive files to gain unauthorized code execution privileges on affected systems. The vulnerability impacts versions prior to 6.0.0.488 of these security applications, making them susceptible to remote code execution attacks that could compromise entire network infrastructures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the archive file processing modules of the AhnLab security applications. When these products encounter ALZ, UUE, or XXE compressed archives with crafted malicious content, the buffer overflow occurs during the decompression and parsing processes. The flaw resides in the insufficient bounds checking mechanisms that fail to properly validate the size and structure of incoming compressed data before attempting to process it within fixed-size memory buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application process. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, covering heap-based buffer overflow scenarios that may occur during dynamic memory allocation processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3284 extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially affect entire enterprise networks relying on AhnLab V3 AntiVirus solutions for malware protection. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can remotely execute malicious code on systems running vulnerable versions of the security software, effectively turning the antivirus application itself into an attack vector. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario where the security tool designed to protect against malware becomes a potential entry point for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to network resources. The remote execution capability means that adversaries do not require physical access to target systems, enabling widespread exploitation through network-based attacks. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks, as the compromised antivirus applications may be used to evade detection mechanisms or launch further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3284 primarily focus on immediate software updates and operational security measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading all affected AhnLab V3 AntiVirus products to version 6.0.0.488 or later, which contains patches addressing the buffer overflow conditions in compressed file processing. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack surfaces, particularly restricting the ability of untrusted users to interact with systems running vulnerable antivirus software. Additional protective measures include disabling compressed file scanning functionality when not strictly necessary, implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, and maintaining comprehensive backup strategies to ensure rapid recovery from potential compromise. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of vulnerabilities and execution of malicious code, while the remediation efforts align with defensive measures focused on software updates and network protection controls. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized code and maintain continuous vulnerability assessment programs to identify similar weaknesses in other security solutions.