A vulnerability in the PDF parsing module of Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) versions 1.4.0, 1.3.2 and prior versions, all 1.2.x versions, 1.0.6 and prior versions, all 0.105.x versions, all 0.104.x versions, and 0.103.11 and all prior versions could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device.
The vulnerability is due to an out of bounds read. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting a crafted PDF file to be scanned by ClamAV on an affected device. An exploit could allow the attacker to terminate the scanning process.
With a CVSS score of 4.0, this vulnerability is classified as medium severity. Organizations using vulnerable versions are at risk as exploitation could lead to service disruptions.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their patching cycle to ensure continued security and functionality of their systems.
The vulnerability was published on September 4, 2024, and has been classified under CWE-125.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows for a denial of service condition, which can be exploited by sending specially crafted PDF files to the ClamAV scanning process. The vulnerability affects various versions of ClamAV, specifically versions 1.4.0, 1.3.2, and several others down to version 0.103.11.
The vulnerability is identified as an out of bounds read, which can lead to a termination of the scanning process. This could result in significant impacts if the scanning process is critical for the organization’s operations.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of certain PDF files during the scanning process. The attack vector is local, which means that the attacker needs to be able to submit files to the scanning service.
The attack complexity is rated as low, as no special privileges or user interaction is required for the attack to succeed. The impact on availability is low; however, it could disrupt normal service operations.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes service disruption due to the denial of service condition that can be triggered by exploiting this vulnerability. The potential blast radius could affect all users relying on the ClamAV service for scanning PDF files.
Given the medium severity and exploitability score, organizations should address this vulnerability in their patch cycle to ensure continued service availability and security.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
ClamAV versions 1.4.0, 1.3.2 and prior versions, all 1.2.x versions, 1.0.6 and prior versions, all 0.105.x versions, all 0.104.x versions, and 0.103.11 and all prior versions are affected by this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Updates have been released, which address this vulnerability. Users are encouraged to upgrade to the latest version of ClamAV to mitigate the risk.
Continuous penetration testing can also help organizations identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities proactively.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any anomalies related to ClamAV scanning processes. Behavioral anomalies may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the importance of regular updates and patching in software security. Organizations must adopt a proactive approach to security, including regular assessments and audits.
Penetration testing methodology should be reviewed and integrated into the organization's security practices.
Vulnerability management programs should also be tailored to address such issues effectively.
Security testing best practices should be continuously evaluated and improved.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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