CVE-2017-12378 : Security Advisory and Response

ClamAV AntiVirus software versions 0.99.2 and prior contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device. The weakness lies in inadequate validation checks of input mechanisms for .tar files, potentially leading to a checksum buffer over-read condition when scanning malicious files.

Understanding CVE-2017-12378

This CVE entry pertains to a vulnerability in ClamAV AntiVirus software versions 0.99.2 and earlier that could be exploited by a remote attacker to trigger a DoS situation on affected devices.

What is CVE-2017-12378?

The vulnerability in ClamAV AntiVirus software versions 0.99.2 and prior allows a remote attacker without authentication to exploit inadequate input validation checks for .tar files, potentially causing a DoS scenario on the affected device.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12378

The vulnerability could lead to a denial of service (DoS) situation on devices running affected versions of ClamAV AntiVirus software. If successfully exploited, an attacker could cause a checksum buffer over-read condition during file scanning, resulting in a potential DoS scenario.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12378

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation checks of input mechanisms for .tar files, allowing a remote attacker to exploit the weakness and potentially trigger a DoS situation on the affected device.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ClamAV AntiVirus software versions 0.99.2 and prior

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending malicious .tar files to the affected device, causing a checksum buffer over-read condition during ClamAV scanning.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-12378 involves immediate steps and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ClamAV AntiVirus software to version 0.99.3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network security measures to restrict unauthorized access to vulnerable devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update antivirus software and security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses in the system.

Patching and Updates

Apply security updates and patches provided by ClamAV to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.