CVE-2012-1436 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 \2D\6C\68 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-2012-1436 represents a critical flaw in multiple antivirus software implementations that affects the parsing of executable files. This issue stems from improper handling of specific character sequences within executable file structures, specifically the sequence \2D\6C\68 which translates to the ASCII characters -l\ in hexadecimal notation. The vulnerability exists in several prominent antivirus products including AhnLab V3 Internet Security, Emsisoft Anti-Malware, eSafe, Ikarus Virus Utilities, and Panda Antivirus, indicating a widespread problem in how these security solutions process executable file headers and metadata.
The technical flaw manifests when these antivirus scanners encounter executable files containing the specific character sequence \2D\6C\68 at predetermined locations within the file structure. This sequence triggers a parsing error that causes the security software to misinterpret the file's structure, potentially leading to the bypass of malware detection mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the core parsing layer of these security applications, where they attempt to analyze and classify executable files for potential threats. When the parser encounters this particular character sequence, it fails to properly process the file's metadata or header information, which can result in the security software either ignoring suspicious file characteristics or incorrectly classifying malicious files as benign.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant security risk as it allows attackers to craft malicious executables that can evade detection by multiple antivirus solutions simultaneously. The impact extends beyond individual security products since the flaw exists across different vendors' implementations, suggesting a common underlying issue in how these applications handle certain file parsing scenarios. This cross-vendor vulnerability means that attackers can develop malware that specifically targets these parsing weaknesses, potentially rendering multiple security layers ineffective against the same threat. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of executable files to place the specific character sequence at the precise location where the parsers fail, making it a sophisticated attack vector that requires understanding of both the target security software and the file format structures.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of length parameters, and relates to the broader category of input validation issues that can lead to security bypasses. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.001 for execution through command-line interfaces, as attackers can potentially leverage this flaw to execute malicious code that bypasses detection mechanisms. The flaw also connects to T1566 for social engineering and T1070 for indicator removal, as it enables attackers to bypass security controls that would normally detect or prevent malicious execution. Organizations using affected security solutions face a critical risk where their primary defense mechanisms may be rendered ineffective against carefully crafted malware, potentially allowing persistent threats to establish footholds within networks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate updates and patches provided by the affected vendors, as these security products were likely updated to address the specific parsing flaws in their EXE file handling code. System administrators should implement layered security approaches, including network-based detection systems, behavioral analysis tools, and regular security assessments to compensate for potential gaps in signature-based detection. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual executable behavior, as these approaches can provide defense-in-depth against exploitation of parsing vulnerabilities. Regular security audits of endpoint protection solutions are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other security components or third-party applications that handle file parsing operations.