CVE-2007-3023 in ClamAV
Summary
by MITRE
unsp.c in ClamAV before 0.90.3 and 0.91 before 0.91rc1 does not properly calculate the end of a certain buffer, with unknown impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3023 affects the ClamAV antivirus software, specifically within the unsp.c component that handles unpacking operations. This flaw exists in versions prior to 0.90.3 and 0.91 before 0.91rc1, representing a critical buffer handling issue that could potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability stems from improper buffer boundary calculations during unpacking processes, creating a scenario where memory access violations could occur when processing specially crafted malicious files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the buffer management logic within the unpacking module of ClamAV. When the software processes compressed or packed files, it fails to correctly calculate the end boundaries of memory buffers allocated for decompression operations. This miscalculation creates a potential for buffer overflow conditions where data might be written beyond allocated memory regions. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory management and file processing, making it particularly dangerous as it could be triggered through legitimate file analysis operations. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the exact memory corruption mechanism remains unspecified in the original description.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable remote code execution attacks. Attackers could craft malicious files that, when scanned by affected ClamAV versions, would trigger the buffer overflow condition during unpacking operations. This creates a remote attack vector where adversaries could leverage the vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable ClamAV installations. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where ClamAV serves as a primary antivirus solution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically focusing on execution through command and scripting interpreters, though the precise exploitation mechanism requires careful analysis of the unpacking logic.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3023 primarily involve immediate patching of ClamAV installations to versions 0.90.3 or 0.91rc1 and later, which contain the necessary buffer boundary corrections. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all ClamAV instances are updated promptly. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of antivirus configurations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper buffer management in security software, particularly in components that process untrusted data from external sources. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for suspicious file analysis and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability class.