CVE-2018-6687 in GetSusp
Summary
by MITRE
Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop') in McAfee GetSusp (GetSusp) 3.0.0.461 and earlier allows attackers to DoS a manual GetSusp scan via while scanning a specifically crafted file . GetSusp is a free standalone McAfee tool that runs on several versions of Microsoft Windows.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6687 represents a critical infinite loop flaw within McAfee GetSusp version 3.0.0.461 and earlier implementations. This issue manifests as a loop with an unreachable exit condition, creating a scenario where the software enters an indefinite execution cycle when processing specifically crafted malicious files. The vulnerability affects GetSusp, a free standalone security tool designed for Windows environments, making it susceptible to denial of service attacks that can halt manual scanning operations entirely.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from improper loop termination logic within the file processing routines of GetSusp. When the tool encounters a specially crafted file that triggers the problematic code path, it enters a while loop that lacks proper exit conditions or mechanisms to break out of the iteration cycle. This condition is classified as CWE-835, which specifically addresses loops with unreachable exit conditions, making it a direct implementation of known software design flaws that can lead to system resource exhaustion and application unresponsiveness.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to security professionals and organizations relying on GetSusp for malware analysis and threat hunting. The denial of service condition prevents users from completing manual scans, effectively rendering the tool unusable during critical security operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by simply preparing a malicious file that triggers the infinite loop, causing system resources to be consumed indefinitely and potentially leading to system instability or complete application failure. The impact is particularly severe because GetSusp is designed as a standalone tool that security analysts frequently use for manual investigation tasks, making the disruption of its functionality highly disruptive to security operations.
The vulnerability demonstrates a clear weakness in input validation and error handling within the GetSusp application, where the software fails to properly validate file structures or implement robust loop termination mechanisms. Security practitioners should note that this flaw represents a classic example of how improper programming practices can create significant security risks, even in security tools designed to detect and analyze malicious software. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1499, which covers resource hijacking and denial of service conditions, making it relevant to both defensive and offensive security operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected GetSusp versions, with organizations upgrading to version 3.0.0.462 or later where the infinite loop issue has been resolved. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for abnormal resource consumption patterns during scanning operations, as early detection of such loops can help prevent complete system impact. Security teams should consider temporary workarounds such as implementing file type restrictions or sandboxing scanning operations to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability during the patching process. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough code review processes and proper testing of security tools, particularly those handling untrusted input data, as even security applications can contain critical flaws that compromise their intended functionality.