CVE-2011-0548 in Data Loss Prevention
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Lotus Freelance Graphics PRZ file viewer in Autonomy KeyView, as used in Symantec Mail Security (SMS) 6.x through 8.x, Symantec Brightmail and Messaging Gateway before 9.5.1, and Symantec Data Loss Prevention (DLP) before 10.5.3 and 11.x before 11.1, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted .prz file. NOTE: this may overlap CVE-2011-1217.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0548 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Lotus Freelance Graphics PRZ file viewer component of Autonomy KeyView software. This specific implementation resides within several Symantec security products including Mail Security 6.x through 8.x, Brightmail and Messaging Gateway prior to version 9.5.1, and Data Loss Prevention before versions 10.5.3 and 11.x before 11.1. The flaw manifests when these applications process maliciously crafted PRZ files, which are graphics formats used by Lotus Freelance Graphics for document creation and editing. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of software security and file format parsing, creating a pathway for remote exploitation that could compromise system integrity and availability.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate bounds checking within the PRZ file parsing routines of the Autonomy KeyView library. When a malicious PRZ file is processed, the application fails to properly validate the size or structure of incoming data buffers, allowing an attacker to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. This condition typically occurs during the parsing of graphics elements, headers, or metadata within the PRZ file format, where the software expects a certain data structure but receives malformed input that exceeds predetermined buffer limits. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory corruption. The flaw specifically enables attackers to manipulate memory layout through crafted input, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to deliver malicious PRZ files through email attachments, web downloads, or file transfer protocols, targeting the vulnerable Symantec products deployed in enterprise environments. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow could result in application crashes that disrupt email services, or more critically, allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application process. This presents significant risk to enterprise security infrastructure since these products typically run with elevated privileges and process sensitive email traffic. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, and demonstrates how file format vulnerabilities can be weaponized to compromise security systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0548 require immediate patch deployment across all affected Symantec products, with particular attention to the specific version ranges mentioned in the vulnerability description. Organizations should prioritize updating Symantec Mail Security to version 8.5.1 or later, Brightmail and Messaging Gateway to version 9.5.1 or higher, and Data Loss Prevention to versions 10.5.3 or 11.1 and above. Additionally, implementing content filtering measures that block or scan PRZ file attachments can provide defense-in-depth protection. Network administrators should consider restricting file type processing through email gateways and implementing sandboxing techniques for suspicious file attachments. The vulnerability's overlap with CVE-2011-1217 indicates that similar exploitation vectors may exist across related products, requiring comprehensive vulnerability assessment and remediation efforts. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify attempts to process malicious PRZ files.