March 2005

ID: 00226
Ref: 205/2005
Date: 18 March 2005:15:20:12
Version: 1

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Title: ISS Protection Brief - McAfee AntiVirus Library Stack Overflow
Abstract:
Vendors affected: ISS
Operating systems affected: ISS
Applications affected: ISS

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Title
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ISS Protection Brief - McAfee AntiVirus Library Stack Overflow

Detail
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McAfee Antivirus Library is used to parse different file formats to detect
malware. One of the modules in McAfee Antivirus Library parses the LHA
file format. Before LHA decompression, the library does not properly check
the length of type 2 header file name fields. The LHA engine ensures the
header field is no longer than 0x167 bytes, but has only allocated 0x130
bytes of stack space when the copy takes place. In order to trigger the
overflow, the LHA file must be malformed, and conform to another
non-archive file format. By sending this malformed and dual format file,
an attacker can execute arbitrary code in SYSTEM context across platforms
in a reliable manner.



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ESB-2005.0222 -- ISS Protection Brief
McAfee AntiVirus Library Stack Overflow
18 March 2005

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Product: McAfee AntiVirus Library prior to version 4400
Active Virus Defense
Active VirusScan
Active Threat Protection
Active Mail Protection
GroupShield for Exchange
GroupShield for Lotus Domino
GroupShield for Mail Servers with ePO
LinuxShield
NetShield for Netware
PortalShield for Microsoft SharePoint
SecurityShield for Microsoft ISA Server
Virex
VirusScan (all versions)
VirusScan(r) Enterprise(all versions)
WebShield Appliances
WebShield SMTP
Publisher: ISS
Operating System: Windows
Linux variants
Novell NetWare
Impact: Administrator Compromise
Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands
Access: Remote/Unauthenticated

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Internet Security Systems Protection Advisory
March 17, 2005

McAfee AntiVirus Library Stack Overflow

Summary:

ISS has shipped protection for a flaw X-Force has discovered in McAfee
AntiVirus Library versions prior to 4400. The McAfee AntiVirus Library
is widely relied upon to provide antivirus capabilities to desktop,
server, and gateway systems. Also, several large vendors and ISP's
implement McAfee's AntiVirus Library in their products. By crafting an
LHA file, an attacker is able to trigger a stack overflow within the
process importing the McAfee AntiVirus Library.

ISS Protection Strategy:

ISS has provided preemptive protection for these vulnerabilities. We
recommend that all customers apply applicable ISS product updates.

Network Sensor 7.0, Proventia A and G100, G200, G1200:
XPU 24.3 / 3/14/05
LHA_File_Path_Overflow

Proventia M and G400, G2000:
XPU 1.42 / 3/14/05
LHA_File_Path_Overflow

Server Sensor 7.0:
XPU 24.3 / 3/14/05
LHA_File_Path_Overflow

Desktop Protector 7.0:
Version EOB / 3/14/05
LHA_File_Path_Overflow

BlackICE Agent for Server 3.6:
Version EOB / 3/14/05
LHA_File_Path_Overflow

These updates are now available from the ISS Download Center at:
http://www.iss.net/download.

Business Impact:

Compromise of antivirus protected networks and machines may lead to exposure
of confidential information, loss of productivity, and further network
compromise. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could be used to
gain unauthorized access to networks and machines being protected by McAfee
AntiVirus Library product. Implementations of McAfee AntiVirus Library are
likely vulnerable through common protocols, e.g. SMTP, HTTP, FTP, SMB. No
authentication is required for an attacker to leverage this vulnerability
to compromise a antivirus protected network or machine. It is likely McAfee
AntiVirus Library implementations are vulnerable in their default
configurations.

Affected Products:

Active Virus Defense
Active VirusScan
Active Virus Defense SMB Edition
Active VirusScan SMB Edition
Active Threat Protection
Active Mail Protection
GroupShield for Exchange
GroupShield for Exchange 5.5
GroupShield for Lotus Domino
GroupShield for Mail Servers with ePO
LinuxShield
NetShield for Netware
PortalShield for Microsoft SharePoint
SecurityShield for Microsoft ISA Server
Virex
VirusScan (all versions)
VirusScan Professional
VirusScan ASaP/Managed VirusScan
VirusScan Command Line
VirusScan for NetApp
VirusScan(r) Enterprise(all versions)
WebShield Appliances
WebShield SMTP

Note: Additional versions may be affected, please contact your vendor for
confirmation. In addition, several ISPs and vendors also use McAfee
AntiVirus Library and are likely vulnerable.

Description:

McAfee Antivirus Library is used to parse different file formats to detect
malware. One of the modules in McAfee Antivirus Library parses the LHA
file format. Before LHA decompression, the library does not properly check
the length of type 2 header file name fields. The LHA engine ensures the
header field is no longer than 0x167 bytes, but has only allocated 0x130
bytes of stack space when the copy takes place. In order to trigger the
overflow, the LHA file must be malformed, and conform to another
non-archive file format. By sending this malformed and dual format file,
an attacker can execute arbitrary code in SYSTEM context across platforms
in a reliable manner.

This vulnerability can be triggered by an unauthenticated remote attacker,
without user interaction, by sending an e-mail containing a crafted LHA
file to the target McAfee AntiVirus Library on client, server, and gateway
implementations. Additional attack vectors exist over other common
protocols (e.g. HTTP, FTP, POP3, SMB), but some may require user interaction.

The ISS X-Press Updates detailed above have the ability to protect against
attack attempts targeted at McAfee products.

Credit:

This vulnerability was discovered and researched by Alex Wheeler of
ISS X-Force.

______

About Internet Security Systems (ISS)
Internet Security Systems, Inc. (ISS) is the trusted security expert to
global enterprises and world governments, providing products and services
that protect against Internet threats. An established world leader
in security since 1994, ISS delivers proven cost efficiencies and
reduces regulatory and business risk across the enterprise for
more than 11,000 customers worldwide. ISS products and services
are based on the proactive security intelligence conducted by ISSÂ#
X-Force® research and development team Â# the unequivocal world
authority in vulnerability and threat research. Headquartered
in Atlanta, Internet Security Systems has additional operations
throughout the Americas, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.

Copyright (c) 2005 Internet Security Systems, Inc. All rights reserved
worldwide.

This document is not to be edited or altered in any way without the
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Disclaimer: The information within this document may change without notice.
Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS
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X-Force PGP Key available on MIT's PGP key server and PGP.com's key
server, as well as at http://www.iss.net/security_center/sensitive.php
Please send suggestions, updates, and comments to: X-Force

xforce@iss.net of Internet Security Systems, Inc.
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