CVE-2018-0202 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A vulnerability has been identified in the ClamAV software version prior to 0.99.4, allowing an attacker to trigger a denial of service (DoS) scenario by exploiting inadequate validation checks in processing Portable Document Format (.pdf) files.

Understanding CVE-2018-0202

This CVE involves an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in ClamAV, potentially leading to a DoS situation.

What is CVE-2018-0202?

The vulnerability in ClamAV before version 0.99.4 allows an unauthenticated attacker to exploit PDF file processing flaws, causing a DoS scenario on the targeted device.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0202

An attacker can remotely trigger a DoS situation on the affected device by sending a specially crafted PDF file.
The vulnerability affects the pdf_parse_array and pdf_parse_string functions in the libclamav/pdfng.c file.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0202

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

ClamAV before 0.99.4 contains a vulnerability that enables an attacker to cause a DoS condition by exploiting improper input validation mechanisms during PDF file processing.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ClamAV
Versions: ClamAV (prior to 0.99.4)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending a malicious PDF file, triggering an out-of-bounds read during ClamAV scanning.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2018-0202 with these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ClamAV to version 0.99.4 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches promptly to secure your systems.