CVE-2010-3499 in F-Secure
Summary
by MITRE
F-Secure Anti-Virus does not properly interact with the processing of hcp:// URLs by the Microsoft Help and Support Center, which makes it easier for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via malware that is correctly detected by this product, but with a detection approach that occurs too late to stop the code execution. NOTE: the researcher indicates that a vendor response was received, stating that "the inability to catch these files are caused by lacking functionality rather than programming errors."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3499 represents a critical timing issue within F-Secure Anti-Virus software that stems from improper integration with Microsoft Help and Support Center URL processing mechanisms. This flaw specifically affects the handling of hcp:// URLs which are used by Microsoft's help system to display documentation and support content. The vulnerability arises from a fundamental design limitation in how F-Secure processes these particular URL schemes during the malware detection lifecycle, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to execute code before the antivirus solution can effectively intervene.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which describes "Information Exposure" and more specifically relates to improper handling of URL schemes in security software. The flaw occurs because F-Secure's detection methodology fails to intercept and process hcp:// URLs at the appropriate stage in the execution flow, allowing malicious code embedded within these URLs to execute before the antivirus engine can properly scan or block the content. This represents a classic case of delayed detection timing that enables execution of malicious code through legitimate system mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to bypass security controls that would normally detect and prevent malicious activity. When malware is correctly identified by F-Secure's detection engines, the timing issue means that the code execution has already occurred before the antivirus solution can take protective action. This creates a dangerous scenario where users may be exposed to malicious content that the security software is designed to prevent, essentially rendering the protection ineffective during the critical execution phase. The vulnerability specifically targets the Windows Help and Support Center functionality, which is commonly used by legitimate users, making the attack vector more plausible and harder to detect.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002 which involves user execution through legitimate system processes. The flaw enables attackers to leverage the trust relationship between the Help and Support Center and the operating system to execute malicious code. The vendor response indicating that this is due to "lacking functionality rather than programming errors" suggests that the issue stems from architectural limitations in F-Secure's URL handling rather than simple coding mistakes, which implies that the solution requires fundamental redesign of the URL processing pipeline. The timing aspect of this vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as it operates outside the normal detection window that security products typically rely upon, potentially allowing for advanced persistent threats to establish footholds within networks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the F-Secure software to address the URL processing timing issue, along with network-level monitoring to detect unusual hcp:// URL access patterns. Organizations should implement additional layers of protection including web filtering solutions and endpoint detection systems that can monitor for suspicious URL handling behavior. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of comprehensive testing of security software against legitimate system mechanisms to ensure that protection does not create attack vectors. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability and consider implementing behavioral monitoring to detect anomalous execution patterns that may indicate successful exploitation of the timing flaw.