CVE-2016-10402 in Antivirus Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Avira Antivirus engine versions before 8.3.36.60 allow remote code execution as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM via a section header with a very large relative virtual address in a PE file, causing an integer overflow and heap-based buffer underflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10402 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Avira Antivirus engine versions prior to 8.3.36.60. This security defect stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms when processing portable executable file formats, specifically targeting the handling of section headers within PE files. The vulnerability manifests when the antivirus engine encounters a maliciously crafted PE file containing a section header with an excessively large relative virtual address value that triggers integer overflow conditions during memory allocation processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully constructed PE file that contains malformed section header data. When the Avira antivirus engine attempts to parse this malicious file, it processes the section header information without proper bounds checking, leading to an integer overflow condition. This overflow subsequently causes a heap-based buffer underflow, creating a memory corruption scenario that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges. The vulnerability specifically allows execution as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM, representing the most privileged account in Windows environments and providing complete system compromise capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems relying on affected Avira antivirus versions. Attackers can exploit this flaw remotely without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where antivirus solutions serve as primary defense mechanisms. The vulnerability affects the core antivirus engine functionality, meaning that any file processed by the affected software could potentially trigger the exploit, regardless of whether the file is actually malicious or benign. This characteristic transforms the vulnerability into a potent attack vector capable of compromising entire networks through a single successful exploitation attempt.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10402 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Avira to address the integer overflow and buffer underflow conditions in the PE file parsing logic. Organizations should prioritize deployment of Avira Antivirus engine version 8.3.36.60 or later, which includes enhanced input validation mechanisms and proper bounds checking for section header processing. Additionally, network administrators should implement additional defensive measures such as network segmentation, intrusion detection system monitoring, and application whitelisting to limit potential exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and CWE-121, Stack-based Buffer Overflow, while also mapping to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through system services and T1566 for initial access via malicious files. Organizations should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions to detect anomalous file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability operates at the engine level and may bypass traditional signature-based detection methods.