CVE-2018-8955 in GravityZone
Summary
by MITRE
The installer for BitDefender GravityZone relies on an encoded string in a filename to determine the URL for installation metadata, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by changing the filename while leaving the file's digital signature unchanged.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8955 resides within the installation process of BitDefender GravityZone, a comprehensive endpoint security solution. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that exploits the installer's reliance on filename-based URL resolution for fetching installation metadata. The vulnerability specifically targets the installer component that processes encoded strings within filenames to construct URLs for downloading configuration and update information. Attackers can manipulate this mechanism by simply renaming the installer file while preserving its digital signature, effectively bypassing the integrity checks that should normally prevent unauthorized modifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and trust assumptions within the installer's parsing logic. When the installer encounters a filename containing encoded URL information, it extracts this data without sufficient verification of its authenticity or integrity. This design flaw creates a path where attackers can inject malicious URLs by crafting specific filename patterns that contain encoded malicious endpoints. The system's trust in the filename structure allows the installation process to proceed with potentially compromised metadata sources, leading to arbitrary code execution. This weakness operates at the intersection of software supply chain security and authentication mechanisms, where the digital signature validation process fails to account for filename manipulation attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8955 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise potential. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can redirect installation processes to malicious servers, enabling the download and execution of arbitrary malware payloads. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed through social engineering or automated exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects the entire installation lifecycle of BitDefender GravityZone, potentially compromising systems during both initial deployment and routine updates. Organizations relying on this security solution face significant risk as attackers can exploit this weakness to gain persistent access to networked environments, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention through multiple defensive layers. Organizations should implement strict file integrity monitoring solutions that detect unauthorized filename modifications and prevent execution of altered installers. The digital signature validation process needs enhancement to include filename content verification, ensuring that the entire installation package maintains integrity from origin to execution. Network-level controls should be deployed to monitor and block connections to known malicious domains that could be referenced through manipulated filename encodings. System administrators must also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of installers from untrusted sources. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the mitre ATT&CK framework under software supply chain compromise techniques, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through installation processes. The flaw demonstrates a classic CWE-22 weakness related to improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, combined with CWE-345 insufficient verification of data integrity. Organizations should prioritize patching the affected BitDefender GravityZone versions and implement comprehensive monitoring for any suspicious installation activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.