CVE-2017-10954 in Internet Security 2018
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Bitdefender Internet Security Internet Security 2018 prior to build 7.72918. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within pdf.xmd. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an integer overflow before allocating a buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-4361.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10954 represents a critical security flaw in Bitdefender Internet Security 2018 versions prior to build 7.72918, specifically within the pdf.xmd component. This vulnerability operates as a remote code execution flaw that requires user interaction to be exploited, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where social engineering tactics can be employed to lure victims into visiting malicious websites or opening compromised files. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an integer overflow condition that occurs during buffer allocation processes within the pdf.xmd module. When processing maliciously crafted input data, the application fails to validate the size parameters before allocating memory buffers, allowing an attacker to manipulate integer values in such a way that the subsequent buffer allocation becomes corrupted. This integer overflow condition creates a scenario where the application allocates insufficient memory space for the intended operation, potentially leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations. The flaw directly maps to CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and falls under the broader category of memory safety vulnerabilities that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution capabilities, as successful exploitation grants attackers the ability to execute code under the privileges of the SYSTEM context. This privilege escalation capability represents a severe security compromise that allows adversaries to bypass standard user access controls and gain complete control over the affected system. The SYSTEM context execution means that attackers can modify system files, install persistent backdoors, access all user data, and potentially establish footholds for further network infiltration. This vulnerability essentially provides a complete system compromise capability, making it highly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to target environments.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires a user interaction component that significantly increases its real-world threat potential. Attackers can leverage this requirement by crafting malicious web pages or files that, when opened by a victim, trigger the vulnerable code path within the pdf.xmd module. This approach aligns with common attack methodologies documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques such as social engineering and malicious file execution. The requirement for user interaction does not diminish the severity of the vulnerability but rather reflects the common pattern of targeted attacks where human factors are exploited to bypass technical security controls.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of the vendor-provided patch that addresses the integer overflow condition in the pdf.xmd component. The patch implementation should be followed by comprehensive security assessments to ensure that no other components within the Bitdefender suite may be similarly vulnerable. Security teams should also implement network monitoring measures to detect potential exploitation attempts, including unusual outbound connections or attempts to access system resources from the affected applications. Additionally, user education programs should be enhanced to raise awareness about the dangers of visiting untrusted websites or opening unexpected email attachments, as these actions represent the primary attack vectors for this particular vulnerability.