CVE-2020-10193 in Smart Security Premium
Summary
by MITRE
ESET Archive Support Module before 1294 allows virus-detection bypass via crafted RAR Compression Information in an archive. This affects versions before 1294 of Smart Security Premium, Internet Security, NOD32 Antivirus, Cyber Security Pro (macOS), Cyber Security (macOS), Mobile Security for Android, Smart TV Security, and NOD32 Antivirus 4 for Linux Desktop.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10193 represents a critical flaw in ESET's archive support module that enables adversaries to bypass antivirus detection through specifically crafted RAR compression information. This vulnerability specifically impacts ESET's security products across multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Android operating systems, affecting versions prior to build 1294 of various ESET security suites. The flaw resides in how the antivirus software processes and analyzes compressed archive files, creating a pathway for malicious payloads to evade detection mechanisms that should identify potentially harmful content within compressed archives.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of RAR compression metadata and header information within the archive support module. When ESET's antivirus software encounters a crafted RAR archive, the maliciously constructed compression information can manipulate the parsing logic to either skip critical analysis routines or misinterpret the archive's contents entirely. This allows threat actors to embed malware within compressed files that would normally trigger detection alerts, effectively creating a bypass mechanism that operates at the archive processing layer rather than at the file-level detection. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input boundaries, and represents a classic example of how archive processing can create attack surfaces that bypass traditional antivirus detection methodologies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple detection bypass, as it enables threat actors to deliver malicious payloads through seemingly benign compressed files that are commonly used for legitimate purposes such as software distribution, data backup, and file sharing. Security administrators and end users who rely on ESET's archive scanning capabilities for protection may unknowingly process compromised files that evade their security software's detection mechanisms. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where users frequently download and extract files from untrusted sources, potentially allowing malware to establish persistence or execute malicious code without triggering security alerts. The vulnerability affects multiple ESET product lines, increasing the potential attack surface across different security domains including endpoint protection, mobile security, and smart TV platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected ESET products to build 1294 or later versions where the archive processing logic has been corrected to properly validate RAR compression information. Organizations should implement additional layered security measures including network-based file scanning, application whitelisting, and enhanced monitoring of archive extraction activities. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potentially compromised systems that may have processed maliciously crafted archives before the patch was applied. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1204.002 for User Execution, as it enables adversaries to bypass security controls and execute malicious code through legitimate archive processing workflows. Network administrators should consider implementing additional inspection points for compressed files and establish protocols for handling suspicious archive content, particularly in environments where ESET security products are deployed across multiple platforms and operating systems.