CVE-2012-1463 in Scan Engine
Summary
by MITRE
The ELF file parser in AhnLab V3 Internet Security 2011.01.18.00, Bitdefender 7.2, Quick Heal (aka Cat QuickHeal) 11.00, Command Antivirus 5.2.11.5, Comodo Antivirus 7424, eSafe 7.0.17.0, F-Prot Antivirus 4.6.2.117, F-Secure Anti-Virus 9.0.16160.0, McAfee Anti-Virus Scanning Engine 5.400.0.1158, Norman Antivirus 6.06.12, nProtect Anti-Virus 2011-01-17.01, and Panda Antivirus 10.0.2.7 allows remote attackers to bypass malware detection via an ELF file with a modified endianness 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 • 01/30/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-1463 represents a critical flaw in multiple antivirus solutions' handling of Executable and Linkable Format (ELF) files, which are the standard binary file format used in Unix-like operating systems including Linux. This vulnerability specifically targets the ELF file parser implementations within various security products, creating a significant bypass opportunity for malicious actors seeking to evade detection. The flaw manifests when these security solutions encounter ELF files with modified endianness fields, which should normally trigger detection mechanisms but instead allow the malware to slip through undetected. This issue affects a broad range of antivirus vendors including AhnLab, Bitdefender, Quick Heal, and numerous others, indicating a widespread problem in how these security products interpret ELF file structures.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of endianness detection within the ELF parser implementations across multiple antivirus platforms. Endianness refers to the order in which bytes are stored in computer memory, with big-endian and little-endian being the two primary formats. When an ELF file contains a modified endianness field that doesn't match the expected format, legitimate parsers should reject or properly process such files, but these vulnerable antivirus solutions fail to correctly handle this discrepancy. The flaw operates at the fundamental level of file format interpretation, where the parsers don't adequately validate the endianness field before processing the file structure, allowing malicious actors to craft ELF files that appear valid to the security software but contain malicious payloads. This represents a classic case of incomplete input validation and improper error handling that directly impacts the security software's ability to perform its core function of malware detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows remote attackers to bypass multiple layers of security protection simultaneously. Attackers can exploit this weakness by creating ELF files with intentionally modified endianness fields that cause the antivirus engines to misinterpret the file structure, effectively neutralizing the detection capabilities of the affected security solutions. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple antivirus vendors, meaning that a single attack vector can potentially bypass numerous security products across different organizations. The remote nature of this attack means that adversaries don't need physical access to target systems, and the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or network-based attacks. The implications extend beyond simple malware evasion to potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, persistence mechanisms, or lateral movement within compromised networks.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating all affected antivirus solutions to versions that properly handle ELF file endianness validation, implementing additional network-based detection measures, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running vulnerable software versions. Organizations should also consider implementing layered security approaches that don't rely solely on signature-based detection methods, as this vulnerability demonstrates the limitations of traditional antivirus solutions against sophisticated file format manipulation attacks. The remediation process requires coordinated updates across multiple security vendors, and system administrators should verify that their antivirus engines are properly configured to validate ELF file structures before processing them. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper software testing and validation of file format parsers, particularly in security-critical applications where failure to properly validate input can result in complete bypass of protection mechanisms.
This vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and threat models, including the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-129 which covers improper validation of input boundaries, and the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the bypass could enable more sophisticated execution attacks. The vulnerability also relates to the principle of least privilege and defense in depth, as it demonstrates how a single flaw in input validation can compromise the entire security posture of organizations relying on multiple antivirus solutions. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability would likely trigger requirements under various cybersecurity standards including ISO 27001, NIST SP 800-53, and HIPAA security rules, as it represents a significant gap in protective controls that could lead to data breaches or unauthorized access to systems. The potential for this vulnerability to be exploited in targeted attacks against critical infrastructure or enterprise networks makes it a high-priority issue requiring immediate attention from security teams across all affected organizations.