CVE-2012-1433 in Virus Utilities T3 Command Line Scanner
Summary
by MITRE
The Microsoft EXE file parser in AhnLab V3 Internet Security 2011.01.18.00, Emsisoft Anti-Malware 5.1.0.1, eSafe 7.0.17.0, Ikarus Virus Utilities T3 Command Line Scanner 1.1.97.0, and Panda Antivirus 10.0.2.7 allows remote attackers to bypass malware detection via an EXE file with a \4a\46\49\46 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 EXE parser implementations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-1433 represents a critical flaw in multiple antivirus security products that affects their ability to properly parse and analyze executable files. This issue specifically targets the EXE file parser implementations within several security solutions including AhnLab V3 Internet Security, Emsisoft Anti-Malware, eSafe, Ikarus Virus Utilities, and Panda Antivirus. The vulnerability stems from an insufficient handling of character sequences within executable file structures, creating a potential bypass mechanism that allows malicious code to evade detection. The flaw manifests when an EXE file contains the specific character sequence \4a\46\49\46 at a predetermined location within the file structure, which causes the affected security products to misinterpret the file's content and fail to identify it as malicious.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of EXE file parsing logic within antivirus software. When these security applications encounter an EXE file containing the \4a\46\49\46 sequence at a specific offset, their parsing algorithms fail to correctly process the file structure, leading to improper malware detection behavior. This character sequence corresponds to the ASCII values for the string "JFIF" which is typically found in JPEG image files, but when present in an EXE context, it triggers a parsing error that causes the security software to skip critical analysis routines. The vulnerability operates at the file format parsing layer, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect the core detection mechanisms of these security products. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a sophisticated evasion technique that exploits the underlying assumptions made by antivirus vendors about file structure validation and parsing consistency.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1433 extends beyond simple detection failures, as it creates a significant security gap that malicious actors can exploit to deliver malware payloads undetected. Organizations relying on affected security solutions face the risk of successful malware infections that would otherwise be prevented by proper detection mechanisms. The vulnerability's potential for widespread exploitation is heightened by the fact that multiple antivirus vendors were affected, suggesting a common underlying flaw in their parsing implementations. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the principle of defense in depth, as it undermines the layered security approach that organizations depend upon. The issue also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate error handling in security software components, as the vulnerability essentially allows attackers to craft malicious files that can bypass multiple security controls simultaneously.
Security mitigations for CVE-2012-1433 typically involve immediate patching of the affected antivirus software versions, as vendors would need to update their EXE file parsing logic to properly handle the problematic character sequences. System administrators should ensure that all affected security products are updated to versions that address this specific parsing vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement supplementary detection measures such as behavioral monitoring and heuristic analysis to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security software versions and the need for regular security assessments to identify similar parsing flaws. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving evasion and defense evasion, specifically targeting the malware analysis and detection phases of the attack lifecycle. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based detection systems that can identify suspicious file characteristics regardless of endpoint security status. The incident underscores the necessity of proper software testing and validation of security product parsing logic to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.