CVE-2007-2966 in Internet Security
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the LHA decompresion component in F-Secure anti-virus products for Microsoft Windows and Linux before 20070529 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted LHA archive, related to an integer wrap, a similar issue to CVE-2006-4335.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2966 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the LHA decompression functionality of F-Secure anti-virus software versions prior to 20070529. This flaw exists specifically in the Windows and Linux implementations of the security solution, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries could exploit to gain unauthorized system control or disrupt service availability. The vulnerability manifests during the decompression process of LHA archive files, which are commonly used compression formats in various computing environments. The issue stems from improper handling of integer values during the decompression algorithm, creating conditions where maliciously crafted archive files can trigger memory corruption through buffer overflows.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability involves an integer wrap condition that occurs when processing certain header fields within LHA archives. When the decompression component encounters specially constructed archive metadata, the integer values used to calculate buffer sizes become corrupted due to wraparound behavior. This integer wrap leads to the allocation of insufficient memory buffers, which subsequently get overwritten when the decompression routine attempts to write data beyond the allocated boundaries. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow under CWE-121, which specifically addresses conditions where insufficient space is allocated for buffers, and relates to the broader category of CWE-129, which covers improper validation of the length of input buffers. The integer wrap issue directly connects to CWE-191, which addresses integer underflow and overflow conditions, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through both remote code execution and denial of service vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2966 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. This remote code execution potential stems from the buffer overflow's ability to overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses and function pointers within the program's execution stack. Attackers can craft malicious LHA archives that, when processed by the vulnerable F-Secure anti-virus software, will cause the decompression routine to write beyond allocated memory boundaries and redirect program execution flow to malicious code. The vulnerability's similarity to CVE-2006-4335 demonstrates a pattern of integer overflow issues within compression library implementations, suggesting that the underlying architectural flaw may be present in other similar decompression components. This classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of command and scripting interpreters, as the successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute shell commands through the compromised anti-virus process.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected F-Secure anti-virus installations to version 20070529 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the integer wrap condition. Organizations should implement network-based controls to block the transmission of LHA archives from untrusted sources, particularly in environments where the anti-virus software processes user-uploaded content. The vulnerability's nature suggests that comprehensive input validation should be implemented for all archive formats processed by anti-virus solutions, including regular audits of decompression routines for similar integer overflow conditions. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect abnormal decompression activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could be used in conjunction with other attack vectors to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Additionally, the incident highlights the importance of regular security assessments of third-party security tools, particularly those handling potentially malicious content through decompression functions that require careful handling of integer values and memory allocation calculations.