CVE-2013-7089 in ClamAV
Summary
by MITRE
ClamAV before 0.97.7: dbg_printhex possible information leak
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7089 affects ClamAV versions prior to 0.97.7 and relates to a potential information leak through the dbg_printhex function. This issue arises within the ClamAV antivirus software's debugging functionality, which is typically disabled in production environments but may remain accessible during development or testing phases. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of debug output that could expose sensitive memory contents to unauthorized users or processes.
The technical flaw manifests in the dbg_printhex function which is designed to print hexadecimal representations of data for debugging purposes. When this function processes certain input data, it fails to properly sanitize or limit the amount of memory content that gets displayed in debug output. This can result in unintended disclosure of memory contents including potentially sensitive data such as passwords, encryption keys, or other confidential information that happens to reside in memory at the time of the debug operation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the memory level, potentially exposing data that should remain confidential.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could enable attackers to gain insights into the internal state of the ClamAV process and potentially identify other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. In environments where ClamAV is deployed with debug functionality enabled, or where the software is running in a development or testing configuration, this information leak could provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which deals with exposing sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and could potentially be leveraged as part of broader attack chains that align with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1005, which covers data from local system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on upgrading to ClamAV version 0.97.7 or later, which includes patches that address the improper memory handling in the dbg_printhex function. Organizations should also ensure that debug functionality is disabled in production environments and that proper access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized users from accessing debugging interfaces. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual debug output patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for the presence of debug functionality in deployed ClamAV installations, as this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign debugging features can become security risks when not properly configured or secured.