CVE-2010-3268 in Endpoint Protection
Summary
by MITRE
The GetStringAMSHandler function in prgxhndl.dll in hndlrsvc.exe in the Intel Alert Handler service (aka Symantec Intel Handler service) in Intel Alert Management System (AMS), as used in Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition 10.1.4.4010 on Windows 2000 SP4 and Symantec Endpoint Protection before 11.x, does not properly validate the CommandLine field of an AMS request, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3268 represents a critical input validation flaw within the Intel Alert Management System's Alert Handler service component. This vulnerability exists in the prgxhndl.dll library, specifically within the GetStringAMSHandler function that processes incoming AMS requests through the hndlrsvc.exe service. The issue manifests when the service fails to properly validate the CommandLine field of incoming requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's processing logic. The vulnerability affects Intel Alert Management System implementations running on Windows 2000 SP4 and Symantec Endpoint Protection versions prior to 11.x, demonstrating the widespread impact across legacy security infrastructure components. This flaw operates at the application layer, specifically within the service handling mechanism that processes alert notifications and system messages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the CommandLine field in AMS requests, which triggers an improper validation mechanism within the GetStringAMSHandler function. When a crafted malicious request is submitted to the affected service, the lack of proper input sanitization causes the application to process malformed data in a way that leads to application instability and eventual crash. This represents a classic buffer overflow or input validation bypass scenario where the service does not adequately check the length, format, or content of the CommandLine parameter before processing it. The vulnerability is classified as a denial of service condition that can be triggered remotely, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the service is accessible to unauthenticated users. The underlying weakness aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and demonstrates how insufficient parameter checking can lead to system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can compromise the availability of critical security infrastructure components. Organizations utilizing affected versions of Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition or Symantec Endpoint Protection may experience service outages that prevent proper alert handling and system monitoring. This disruption can mask actual security threats or prevent the system from responding to genuine security incidents, creating a false sense of security while leaving systems vulnerable to exploitation. The remote attack vector means that adversaries do not require local system access or authentication credentials to exploit this vulnerability, significantly expanding the potential attack surface. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where centralized alert management systems are critical for security operations and incident response capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3268 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as Symantec released updates to address this vulnerability in their security products. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected service, particularly by restricting access to the Alert Handler service from untrusted networks or systems. Input validation controls should be enhanced at the network level through firewalls and intrusion prevention systems that can detect and block malformed AMS requests. Additionally, monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual patterns in alert processing that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security infrastructure and highlights the risks associated with running legacy software versions that may contain unpatched vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing compensating controls such as redundant alert handling systems or alternative monitoring solutions to ensure continued security operations during patch deployment cycles. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and the potential for remote denial of service attacks to compromise security infrastructure availability.