CVE-2012-1427 in Quick Heal
Summary
by MITRE
The TAR file parser in Quick Heal (aka Cat QuickHeal) 11.00, Norman Antivirus 6.06.12, and Sophos Anti-Virus 4.61.0 allows remote attackers to bypass malware detection via a POSIX TAR file with a \57\69\6E\5A\69\70 character sequence at a certain location. NOTE: this may later be SPLIT into multiple CVEs if additional information is published showing that the error occurred independently in different TAR parser implementations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1427 represents a critical flaw in the TAR file parsing functionality of several antivirus solutions including Quick Heal 11.00, Norman Antivirus 6.06.12, and Sophos Anti-Virus 4.61.0. This issue stems from an insufficient validation mechanism within the TAR file parser that fails to properly handle specific character sequences, creating a bypass opportunity for malicious actors to evade detection. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing POSIX TAR files containing the character sequence \57\69\6E\5A\69\70 which translates to the ASCII string "WinZip" in octal notation. This particular sequence triggers a parsing anomaly that allows attackers to craft malicious TAR archives that can successfully bypass the antivirus scanning mechanisms of these affected products.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of TAR file headers and metadata during the parsing process. When the antivirus software encounters a TAR file with this specific character sequence at a designated location within the archive structure, the parser's validation logic fails to correctly identify the file as potentially malicious. This parsing error creates a condition where the software incorrectly interprets the file content, leading to a false negative detection result. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of improper input validation and inadequate sanitization of archive file contents, which falls under CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation. The flaw operates at the application layer within the antivirus engine's file processing pipeline, specifically targeting the TAR archive extraction and analysis components that are responsible for identifying and quarantining malicious content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on these specific antivirus implementations for malware protection. Attackers can exploit this weakness by embedding malicious payloads within TAR archives that contain the triggering character sequence, thereby enabling them to deliver malware undetected to systems protected by the affected antivirus solutions. The impact extends beyond simple evasion as this vulnerability can be leveraged for more sophisticated attack vectors including the delivery of rootkits, backdoors, or other persistent malware that relies on avoiding signature-based detection mechanisms. The vulnerability's potential for exploitation is particularly concerning given that TAR files are commonly used for software distribution and system updates, making the attack surface quite broad.
The security implications of CVE-2012-1427 align with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically relating to defense evasion tactics and techniques. The vulnerability enables adversaries to bypass security controls through manipulation of file format parsing, which corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1055 - Process Injection and T1070 - Indicator Removal on Host. Organizations utilizing the affected antivirus solutions face a heightened risk of successful malware delivery and persistence within their environments. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution vector through file format manipulation places it within the broader category of file-based attacks that have become increasingly prevalent in modern threat landscapes. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability represents a critical gap in the security posture of affected systems, particularly in environments where legacy or older antivirus implementations are still in use, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date security solutions to prevent exploitation of such parsing vulnerabilities that could enable more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching and updating of the affected antivirus solutions to versions that contain corrected TAR file parsing logic. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular scanning for outdated security software and immediate remediation of identified weaknesses. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing additional layers of protection including network-based intrusion detection systems, application whitelisting policies, and enhanced monitoring of file transfer activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating file format parsing logic within security software and demonstrates the necessity of thorough testing of archive handling components against various attack vectors to prevent similar bypass scenarios from occurring in other security products.