CVE-2017-8775 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 Memory Corruption while parsing a malformed Mach-O file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8775 affects multiple Quick Heal security products including Quick Heal Internet Security, Quick Heal Total Security, and Quick Heal AntiVirus Pro versions 10.1.0.316. This issue stems from improper handling of malformed Mach-O files during the parsing process, creating a memory corruption condition that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability resides within the antivirus software's file analysis capabilities, specifically when processing executable files designed for macOS systems, which utilize the Mach-O (Mach Object) file format. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that could allow attackers to compromise the affected systems through carefully crafted malicious files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests as a memory corruption issue that occurs when the affected Quick Heal products attempt to parse malformed Mach-O files. When these products encounter such files, the parsing routine fails to properly validate input data, leading to memory corruption conditions that could result in arbitrary code execution. The root cause aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and potentially CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The memory corruption typically occurs in the context of file scanning operations where the antivirus engine attempts to analyze executable file structures, particularly when encountering malformed or malicious Mach-O headers that contain unexpected values or malformed data sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation scenarios as it affects the core functionality of endpoint protection software. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to bypass security controls by crafting malicious Mach-O files that trigger the memory corruption during file analysis, potentially leading to system compromise without detection. This represents a significant concern for organizations relying on Quick Heal products for endpoint protection, as the vulnerability could be exploited in targeted attacks against systems running these security solutions. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that antivirus software operates with elevated privileges and has extensive system access, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for the overall security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8775 should focus on immediate patching of affected Quick Heal products to the latest available versions that contain fixes for the memory corruption issue. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as sandboxing techniques and file reputation analysis to reduce the risk of encountering malicious Mach-O files. Additionally, monitoring for unusual file scanning activities and implementing strict file type validation can help detect potential exploitation attempts. From an operational security perspective, defensive measures should include maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds and ensuring that all endpoint protection software is kept current with security patches. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in security software, particularly in components that process potentially malicious files, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's techniques for privilege escalation and defense evasion.