CVE-2019-1786 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) Software versions 0.101.1 and 0.101.0 could allow an unauthenticated attacker to exploit the Portable Document Format (PDF) scanning functionality, leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition on the affected device.

Understanding CVE-2019-1786

This CVE involves an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) Software versions 0.101.1 and 0.101.0.

What is CVE-2019-1786?

The vulnerability allows an attacker to send specially crafted PDF files to the device, causing a crash and resulting in a denial of service condition.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1786

CVSS Base Score: 7.5 (High)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Availability Impact: High
No user interaction or privileges required
Successful exploitation could lead to a DoS condition on the affected device.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1786

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper data handling mechanisms in the PDF scanning functionality of ClamAV versions 0.101.1 and 0.101.0.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: ClamAV
Vendor: Cisco
Vulnerable Versions: 0.101.1, 0.101.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attacker sends specially crafted PDF files to the device
Results in an out-of-bounds read condition and subsequent crash

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-1786, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ClamAV software to a non-vulnerable version
Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update antivirus software and security patches
Conduct security audits and penetration testing

Patching and Updates

Apply vendor-recommended patches promptly to fix the vulnerability