CVE-2007-1194 in SandBox Analyzer
Summary
by MITRE
Norman SandBox Analyzer does not use the proper range for Interrupt Descriptor Table (IDT) entries, which allows local users to determine that the local machine is an emulator, or a similar environment not based on a physical Intel processor, which allows attackers to produce malware that is more difficult to analyze.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1194 affects Norman SandBox Analyzer, a security tool designed to analyze suspicious files in isolated environments. This flaw represents a significant weakness in the system's ability to maintain operational security and prevent detection by malicious actors. The issue stems from improper handling of Interrupt Descriptor Table entries within the Windows operating system's kernel structure, specifically within the sandboxing environment that Norman SandBox Analyzer employs to isolate potentially harmful code execution.
The technical flaw manifests in how the sandbox analyzer manages IDT entries, which are critical components of the x86 architecture that define interrupt handling routines for the processor. When the analyzer fails to properly configure the IDT entry ranges, it creates detectable inconsistencies that can be identified by sophisticated malware analysis techniques. This misconfiguration allows local users to identify that they are operating within an emulated environment rather than on a genuine physical processor, effectively compromising the sandbox's primary security objective of providing a controlled execution environment for malware analysis.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple detection capabilities, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of the sandboxing mechanism. Attackers can leverage this information to craft malware that specifically targets the detection of sandbox environments, allowing malicious code to remain dormant or modify its behavior when executed in virtualized analysis environments. This capability significantly reduces the effectiveness of traditional malware analysis approaches and creates opportunities for advanced persistent threats to bypass security controls. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-119, which addresses improper restriction of operations within a memory buffer, and demonstrates how low-level system misconfigurations can have cascading effects on security tool effectiveness.
The implications of this vulnerability align with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to defense evasion and adversary tactics that involve environment detection and sandbox avoidance. Malware authors can utilize this knowledge to develop more sophisticated threats that adapt their behavior based on environmental detection, making static analysis approaches less effective. The vulnerability also connects to the concept of operating system-level detection techniques where adversaries attempt to identify virtualized environments to avoid analysis or detection.
Organizations using Norman SandBox Analyzer should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the software, implementing additional detection mechanisms to identify potential sandbox evasion attempts, and establishing layered security approaches that do not rely solely on sandboxing for malware analysis. Network monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns that might indicate sandbox environment detection activities. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper kernel-level implementation in security tools and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration issues can create significant security weaknesses in analysis environments.