CVE-2012-1444 in Fortinet
Summary
by MITRE
The ELF file parser in eSafe 7.0.17.0, Prevx 3.0, Fortinet Antivirus 4.2.254.0, and Panda Antivirus 10.0.2.7 allows remote attackers to bypass malware detection via an ELF file with a modified abiversion field. NOTE: this may later be SPLIT into multiple CVEs if additional information is published showing that the error occurred independently in different ELF parser implementations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-1444 represents a critical flaw in the executable file format parsing mechanisms of multiple antivirus solutions. This issue specifically targets the ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) file parser implementations found in several security products including eSafe 7.0.17.0, Prevx 3.0, Fortinet Antivirus 4.2.254.0, and Panda Antivirus 10.0.2.7. The flaw manifests when these antivirus systems encounter ELF files with modified abiversion fields, allowing malicious actors to bypass detection mechanisms entirely. This represents a fundamental weakness in the file format analysis capabilities of these security solutions, as they fail to properly validate the integrity of ELF file structures during malware scanning operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of ELF file metadata fields, specifically the abiversion field which indicates the Application Binary Interface version used by the executable. When an attacker modifies this field to an invalid or unexpected value, the vulnerable antivirus parsers fail to recognize the file as potentially malicious or corrupted, thereby allowing the file to pass through security checks undetected. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and represents a classic example of how insufficient validation of file format headers can lead to security bypasses. The abiversion field modification exploits the parsers' reliance on specific format expectations without proper verification of field consistency and validity.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations relying on these antivirus solutions for malware protection. Attackers can leverage this weakness to craft ELF files that appear legitimate to the security software while containing malicious payloads designed for Linux systems. The impact extends beyond simple detection bypass as it undermines the fundamental trust users place in these security solutions, potentially allowing sophisticated malware to establish persistence on affected systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Linux/Unix shell commands and T1070.004 for indicator removal, as the bypassed detection could allow attackers to maintain access and avoid detection during their operations.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate updates and patches from the affected vendors, as the flaw exists in the core parsing logic of these security products. Organizations should implement additional layers of protection including network-based intrusion detection systems, behavioral analysis tools, and regular security assessments of their antivirus configurations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper file format validation and the need for robust input sanitization in security software. Given that this issue affects multiple vendors, coordinated remediation efforts are essential, and security teams should monitor for related vulnerabilities that may have been split from this original CVE. The incident underscores the necessity of comprehensive testing of security software against malformed file inputs and the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security solutions to protect against such evasion techniques.