CVE-2007-2967 in Internet Security
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple F-Secure anti-virus products for Microsoft Windows and Linux before 20070522 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (file scanning infinite loop) via certain crafted (1) ARJ archives or (2) FSG packed files.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2967 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting multiple F-Secure anti-virus products across both Windows and Linux operating systems. This weakness specifically targets the file scanning mechanisms within these security solutions, creating a condition where legitimate security operations can be disrupted through carefully crafted malicious inputs. The vulnerability was discovered in anti-virus products released prior to the 20070522 version, indicating a significant window of exposure for organizations relying on these security tools. The flaw manifests when the anti-virus engines encounter specially constructed archive files or packed executables that trigger an infinite loop during the scanning process, effectively consuming system resources and rendering the security solution non-functional.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient input validation and error handling within the file parsing routines of the F-Secure anti-virus engines. When processing ARJ archives or FSG packed files, the scanning algorithms fail to properly detect malformed or maliciously constructed file structures that cause the parser to enter an infinite loop. This condition occurs because the anti-virus software lacks proper boundary checking and loop termination conditions when encountering unexpected file formats. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the software does not adequately protect against malformed input that could cause the execution engine to become trapped in recursive or iterative processing without proper exit conditions. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-838 as insufficient input validation, which directly contributes to system instability and denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2967 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise overall security posture within affected organizations. When the anti-virus solution enters an infinite loop during file scanning, it effectively becomes non-responsive to legitimate security threats, creating a false sense of security while leaving systems vulnerable to actual malware infections. This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers who craft specific ARJ archives or FSG packed files designed to trigger the denial of service condition, thereby disabling security monitoring capabilities. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication or special privileges, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can deliver the malicious files to systems running vulnerable F-Secure products. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service and represents a significant weakness in the defensive infrastructure that organizations rely upon for malware protection.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to F-Secure products released after 20070522, which contain the necessary patches to address the infinite loop conditions in file parsing routines. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based filtering to block known malicious file types that could trigger the vulnerability, while monitoring for unusual scanning behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and the need for robust input validation in security software to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their anti-virus systems to identify any other potential weaknesses in their defensive infrastructure that could be exploited in similar manners.