Learn about CVE-2018-12239 affecting Norton, Symantec Endpoint Protection, and more. Find out how an antivirus bypass vulnerability could compromise system security.
Norton versions older than 22.15, Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) versions older than 12.1.7454.7000 and 14.2, Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition (SEP SBE) versions older than NIS-22.15.1.8 and SEP-12.1.7454.7000, and Symantec Endpoint Protection Cloud (SEP Cloud) versions older than 22.15.1 might encounter a vulnerability related to antivirus bypass. This vulnerability involves exploiting a loophole in one of the virus detection engines, allowing a specific type of virus protection to be evaded. The antivirus bypass technique modifies the file being scanned, making it undetectable by the antivirus engine that relies on a signature pattern from its database to identify malicious files and viruses.
Understanding CVE-2018-12239
This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Norton, Symantec Endpoint Protection, Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition, and Symantec Endpoint Protection Cloud that could lead to an antivirus bypass issue.
What is CVE-2018-12239?
CVE-2018-12239 is a security vulnerability that affects older versions of Norton, Symantec Endpoint Protection, Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition, and Symantec Endpoint Protection Cloud. It allows attackers to evade specific virus protection by exploiting a weakness in the antivirus engine.
The Impact of CVE-2018-12239
The vulnerability could potentially allow malicious files to go undetected by the affected antivirus software, compromising the security of the systems using these products.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-12239
This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in CVE-2018-12239 enables an antivirus bypass technique that alters scanned files to evade detection by the antivirus engine, which relies on signature patterns to identify threats.
Affected Systems and Versions
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability allows attackers to modify files during scanning, making them undetectable by the antivirus engine, which relies on predefined patterns to identify threats.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2018-12239 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
Long-Term Security Practices
Patching and Updates