CVE-2007-0445 in Kaspersky Lab
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the arj.ppl module in the OnDemand Scanner in Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Anti-Virus for Workstations, and Anti-Virus for File Servers 6.0, and Internet Security 6.0 before Maintenance Pack 2 build 6.0.2.614 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted ARJ archives.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0445 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the arj.ppl module of Kaspersky's OnDemand Scanner component. This security weakness affects multiple Kaspersky products including Anti-Virus, Anti-Virus for Workstations, and Anti-Virus for File Servers version 6.0, as well as Internet Security 6.0 prior to Maintenance Pack 2 build 6.0.2.614. The flaw specifically manifests when processing crafted ARJ archive files, creating a remote code execution vector that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the arj.ppl module responsible for handling ARJ compressed archive formats. When the scanner encounters a malformed ARJ archive, the buffer overflow occurs in heap memory allocation, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code. This heap-based overflow condition is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through network-based attacks, making it accessible to threat actors without requiring local system access. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper bounds checking in memory management operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to fully compromise affected systems. Remote code execution capabilities allow adversaries to install malware, modify system configurations, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within network environments. Organizations running affected Kaspersky products face significant risk, particularly in enterprise settings where these security solutions are deployed across multiple endpoints. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that threat actors could target systems without physical access, potentially affecting large-scale deployments across corporate networks. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the Execution tactic with techniques such as Command and Scripting Interpreter, and potentially T1059 for remote command execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0445 require immediate patching of affected Kaspersky products to Maintenance Pack 2 build 6.0.2.614 or later versions that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly when processing archive files from untrusted sources. Additional protective measures include disabling automatic scanning of suspicious archives, implementing network-based firewalls to restrict access to affected systems, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other security components. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized code and maintain comprehensive backup strategies to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and demonstrates how even security tools themselves can contain exploitable flaws that require continuous vigilance and patch management processes.