Symantec AntiVirus 8.1/9.0.1/9.0.2/10.0 Message format string

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Symantec AntiVirus 8.1/9.0.1/9.0.2/10.0 and classified as critical. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Message Handler. The manipulation leads to format string. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2006-3454. No exploit exists. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Symantec AntiVirus 8.1/9.0.1/9.0.2/10.0 (Anti-Malware Software). It has been rated as critical. This issue affects an unknown part of the component Message Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a format string vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-134. The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Multiple format string vulnerabilities in Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 8.1 up to 10.0, and Client Security 1.x up to 3.0, allow local users to execute arbitrary code via format strings in (1) Tamper Protection and (2) Virus Alert Notification messages.

The bug was discovered 09/13/2006. The weakness was disclosed 09/14/2006 by David Heiland (FIRST) with Layered Defense (Website). The advisory is shared at layereddefense.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2006-3454 since 07/07/2006. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available.

It is declared as proof-of-concept. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 115410 (Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition Multiple Local Format String Vulnerabilities (SYM06-017)).

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at securityresponse.symantec.com.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (28936), SecurityFocus (BID 19986†), OSVDB (28825†), Secunia (SA21884†) and SecurityTracker (ID 1016842†). The entry VDB-32301 is pretty similar. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.4

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Format string
CWE: CWE-134 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Proof-of-Concept

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: securityresponse.symantec.com

Timelineinfo

07/07/2006 🔍
09/13/2006 +68 days 🔍
09/13/2006 +0 days 🔍
09/13/2006 +0 days 🔍
09/13/2006 +0 days 🔍
09/13/2006 +0 days 🔍
09/14/2006 +1 days 🔍
09/14/2006 +0 days 🔍
09/14/2006 +0 days 🔍
09/17/2006 +2 days 🔍
09/18/2006 +1 days 🔍
06/19/2025 +6849 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: symantec.com

Advisory: layereddefense.com
Researcher: David Heiland (FIRST)
Organization: Layered Defense
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2006-3454 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2006-3454
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-2537
X-Force: 28936 - Symantec Antivirus Corporate and Client Security messages code execution, High Risk
SecurityFocus: 19986 - Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition Multiple Local Format String Vulnerabilities
Secunia: 21884 - Symantec Products Alert Notification Two Vulnerabilities, Less Critical
OSVDB: 28825 - Symantec Multiple Products Tamper Protection Format String
SecurityTracker: 1016842
Vulnerability Center: 12680 - Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition and Client Security Local DoS And Privilege Escalation, Medium
Vupen: ADV-2006-3599

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 09/18/2006 10:56
Updated: 06/19/2025 23:27
Changes: 09/18/2006 10:56 (88), 06/25/2019 11:04 (1), 06/19/2025 23:27 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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