CVE-2007-1557 in F-Secure
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in F-Secure Anti-Virus Client Security 6.02 allows local users to cause a denial of service and possibly gain privileges via format string specifiers in the Management Server name field on the Communication settings page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1557 represents a critical format string flaw within F-Secure Anti-Virus Client Security version 6.02, specifically affecting the Management Server name field in the Communication settings page. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-134 which defines format string vulnerabilities as weaknesses that occur when a program uses a user-supplied string as the format string argument to functions such as printf, sprintf, or scanf. The flaw exists in the client-side management interface where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before processing it through format string functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user inputs specially crafted format specifiers into the Management Server name field. These specifiers can cause the application to interpret memory contents or execute unintended operations during string formatting, leading to either a denial of service condition where the application crashes or potentially arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local user level, meaning an attacker with access to the system can leverage this flaw without requiring network connectivity or remote access. The format string vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow and potentially read or modify memory locations that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it presents a potential privilege escalation vector that could allow local attackers to gain elevated system privileges. When format string specifiers are processed without proper input validation, they can reveal stack contents, cause segmentation faults, or even execute malicious code by overwriting function pointers or return addresses in memory. The F-Secure client security application, designed to protect against malware and other threats, becomes a potential attack vector itself when such a fundamental flaw exists in its input handling mechanisms. This creates a dangerous situation where the security tool itself becomes a liability rather than a protection mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1557 should focus on immediate patching of the F-Secure Anti-Virus Client Security 6.02 application to address the format string vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly in fields that may be passed to format string functions. The principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit local user access to system resources and prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for any unauthorized changes to security software configurations and implement network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other security tools and applications within the enterprise environment.