CVE-2012-1452 in Quick Heal
Summary
by MITRE
The CAB file parser in Emsisoft Anti-Malware 5.1.0.1, Ikarus Virus Utilities T3 Command Line Scanner 1.1.97.0, and Quick Heal (aka Cat QuickHeal) 11.00 allows remote attackers to bypass malware detection via a CAB file with a modified reserved1 field. NOTE: this may later be SPLIT into multiple CVEs if additional information is published showing that the error occurred independently in different CAB parser implementations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-1452 represents a critical flaw in the CAB file parsing functionality of multiple anti-malware products, specifically affecting Emsisoft Anti-Malware 5.1.0.1, Ikarus Virus Utilities T3 Command Line Scanner 1.1.97.0, and Quick Heal 11.00. This issue stems from improper validation of the reserved1 field within CAB archive files, creating a significant bypass opportunity for malicious actors seeking to evade detection mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental weakness in archive file parsing logic that directly impacts the integrity of malware detection systems.
The technical flaw manifests in the CAB file format parser implementation where the reserved1 field, which should contain specific metadata or padding information, is not properly validated or checked for malicious modifications. This field typically serves as a placeholder or reserved space within the CAB file structure, but the vulnerable implementations fail to enforce proper constraints or sanitization checks on this field. When an attacker crafts a CAB file with a modified reserved1 field, the parser accepts the file without proper validation, allowing potentially malicious content to bypass detection mechanisms. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and improper file format parsing that falls under CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation" in software security implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple detection bypass, as it fundamentally undermines the trustworthiness of the affected anti-malware solutions. Attackers can exploit this weakness to deliver malicious payloads that would normally be detected by these security tools, effectively rendering the protection mechanisms ineffective. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that malicious actors can craft CAB files and distribute them through various channels without requiring local access to target systems. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1566.001 for 'Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment', as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to bypass security controls and deliver malicious content through seemingly legitimate file attachments.
The security implications of CVE-2012-1452 are particularly concerning because it affects multiple vendors' implementations, suggesting a widespread pattern in how CAB file parsing is handled across different security products. This common vulnerability indicates that the root cause likely stems from shared codebases or similar parsing libraries that were not properly hardened against malicious input. The fact that this vulnerability may be split into multiple CVEs in the future suggests that similar issues were identified in other CAB parser implementations, highlighting the need for comprehensive code review and security testing of archive handling components. Organizations using these affected products face significant risk of undetected malware delivery, as the vulnerability enables attackers to craft files that exploit the trust relationship between the parsing system and the file format itself.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected anti-malware solutions, as well as implementation of additional security controls. Security teams should consider deploying network-based detection systems that monitor for suspicious CAB file characteristics and implement strict file type validation at network boundaries. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input sanitization and validation in security software, particularly for components that process user-supplied data or file formats. Organizations should also consider implementing layered security approaches that do not rely solely on signature-based detection, incorporating behavioral analysis and heuristic scanning to identify potentially malicious activity that might exploit such parsing vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments of file processing components and code reviews focusing on input validation practices are essential to prevent similar issues in the future, as this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor parsing flaws can create significant security risks.