CVE-2017-12380 : What You Need to Know

ClamAV AntiVirus software versions 0.99.2 and earlier contain a vulnerability that could lead to a denial of service (DoS) attack. The flaw arises from insufficient validation checks during email parsing functions.

Understanding CVE-2017-12380

What is CVE-2017-12380?

CVE-2017-12380 is a vulnerability in ClamAV AntiVirus software versions 0.99.2 and prior that allows an unauthenticated attacker to trigger a DoS condition by sending a specially crafted email.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12380

The vulnerability could result in a DoS attack on the targeted device without the need for authentication or physical presence. An attacker can exploit this flaw remotely by sending a malicious email.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12380

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in ClamAV AntiVirus software versions 0.99.2 and earlier stems from inadequate validation checks in mbox.c during specific email parsing functions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ClamAV AntiVirus software versions 0.99.2 and prior
Vendor: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit the vulnerability by sending a carefully crafted email to the vulnerable device.
When ClamAV scans the malicious email, it may encounter a NULL pointer dereference situation, leading to a DoS condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ClamAV AntiVirus software to version 0.99.3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement email filtering mechanisms to block potentially malicious emails.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update antivirus software and security patches to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Educate users on identifying and avoiding suspicious emails to prevent potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from ClamAV to apply patches promptly.