CVE-2017-8773 in Internet Security
Summary
by MITRE
Quick Heal Internet Security 10.1.0.316, Quick Heal Total Security 10.1.0.316, and Quick Heal AntiVirus Pro 10.1.0.316 are vulnerable to Out of Bounds Write on a Heap Buffer due to improper validation of dwCompressionSize of Microsoft WIM Header WIMHEADER_V1_PACKED. This vulnerability can be exploited to gain Remote Code Execution as well as Privilege Escalation.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8773 affects multiple Quick Heal security products including Internet Security, Total Security, and AntiVirus Pro versions 10.1.0.316. This represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow condition that occurs during the processing of Microsoft Windows Imaging Format files. The flaw specifically manifests when the software handles WIMHEADER_V1_PACKED structures where the dwCompressionSize field is improperly validated, leading to an out-of-bounds write operation on heap memory. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 category of Out-of-bounds Write, which is classified as a serious memory corruption issue that can result in arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious WIM file with malformed dwCompressionSize values that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries. When the vulnerable Quick Heal software attempts to decompress or process such a file, the improper validation allows the write operation to overflow into adjacent heap memory regions. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical data structures, function pointers, or return addresses, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution stems from the fact that these security products often process files from untrusted sources during automated scans or user-initiated operations, making the attack surface quite broad.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8773 extends beyond simple remote code execution to include privilege escalation capabilities. When exploited successfully, attackers can potentially elevate their privileges from standard user level to SYSTEM level access, depending on the execution context of the vulnerable software. This privilege escalation occurs because the heap corruption can be manipulated to overwrite security-related data structures or function pointers that control access permissions. The vulnerability affects multiple product variants within the Quick Heal ecosystem, indicating a widespread issue that could compromise organizations using any of these security solutions. The attack vector typically involves social engineering or automated file processing, where users unknowingly trigger the vulnerable code path through legitimate security scanning operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8773 should focus on immediate patch application from Quick Heal vendors, as this vulnerability was addressed through software updates that properly validate the dwCompressionSize field in WIM headers. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to prevent processing of untrusted WIM files, particularly those received through email attachments or downloaded from untrusted sources. Additionally, security teams should monitor for suspicious file processing activities and consider implementing sandboxing or virtualization techniques to isolate vulnerable security software from critical system resources. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as exploitation can lead to command execution and privilege elevation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in security software, as these products are often targeted due to their privileged execution contexts and wide deployment across enterprise environments.