CVE-2006-3575 in VirusScan
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in the Buffer Overflow Protection in McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.0.0 allows local users to cause a denial of service (unstable operation) via a long string in the (1) "Process name", (2) "Module name", or (3) "API name" fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3575 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.0.0's protection mechanisms, specifically targeting the handling of process name, module name, and API name fields. This issue manifests as a local privilege escalation vector that can result in system instability and complete denial of service conditions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the software's internal buffer management systems, allowing maliciously crafted input strings to overwrite adjacent memory locations and corrupt the application's operational state.
This vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the antivirus software's defensive subsystem, where it processes and analyzes system calls and application behaviors. The buffer overflow occurs when the software attempts to store user-supplied strings exceeding predetermined memory allocation limits in the specified field categories. The flaw is classified as a classic stack-based buffer overflow according to CWE-121, where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The attack vector requires local system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privilege escalation is possible through legitimate user accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can compromise the entire antivirus protection framework. When exploited, the buffer overflow causes the VirusScan Enterprise service to become unstable, leading to application crashes, system hangs, and potential complete system shutdowns. This instability directly undermines the security posture of infected systems, leaving them vulnerable to other attacks during the periods of service disruption. The vulnerability affects the core protection capabilities of the software, creating a paradoxical situation where the security solution itself becomes a vector for system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3575 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from McAfee, as the vendor has released updates addressing this specific buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement strict input validation measures at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes rigorous length and format verification before processing. Network segmentation and privilege separation techniques can help limit the potential impact of local exploitation attempts, while comprehensive monitoring systems should track anomalous process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may leverage the unstable conditions to execute additional malicious payloads. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and runtime application self-protection to defend against similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities that may exist in other security software components.