CVE-2006-4182 in ClamAV
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in ClamAV 0.88.1 and 0.88.4, and other versions before 0.88.5, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (scanning service crash) and execute arbitrary code via a crafted Portable Executable (PE) file that leads to a heap-based buffer overflow when less memory is allocated than expected.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4182 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within ClamAV antivirus software versions 0.88.1 and 0.88.4, with affected systems extending to all prior versions before the security patch released in 0.88.5. This vulnerability specifically targets the Portable Executable file parsing functionality that ClamAV employs during malware scanning operations. The flaw manifests when the software processes maliciously crafted PE files that contain manipulated header values or section sizes that trigger improper integer arithmetic during memory allocation calculations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a heap-based buffer overflow condition that arises from incorrect integer overflow handling in the memory allocation routines. When ClamAV encounters a malformed PE file, the integer overflow causes the application to allocate insufficient memory for processing the file contents, subsequently leading to memory corruption when the system attempts to write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This condition creates a scenario where attackers can manipulate the memory layout to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the scanning service process. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-190 category of integer overflow and under the ATT&CK technique of execution through memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass full remote code execution capabilities that can compromise entire systems. Attackers exploiting this flaw can cause the ClamAV scanning service to crash and restart repeatedly, leading to persistent denial of service conditions that disrupt legitimate security operations. More critically, the heap-based buffer overflow enables attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the antivirus service, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems running vulnerable ClamAV versions across multiple platforms including Unix-like operating systems and Windows environments where the software is deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4182 require immediate patching of all affected ClamAV installations to version 0.88.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the integer overflow conditions. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of ClamAV services to untrusted networks or users. Additional defensive measures include deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious PE file patterns and implementing strict file validation policies that prevent execution of untrusted binaries. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory management practices in security software, as flaws in antivirus engines can create significant attack vectors that undermine the very security services they are designed to provide. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable ClamAV versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues in other security applications.