CVE-2019-1788 : Security Advisory and Response

An unauthenticated remote attacker could potentially exploit a vulnerability in versions 0.101.1 and earlier of Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) Software, leading to a denial of service on the targeted device.

Understanding CVE-2019-1788

This CVE involves an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in ClamAV software.

What is CVE-2019-1788?

An unauthenticated attacker could exploit a vulnerability in ClamAV versions 0.101.1 and earlier related to Object Linking & Embedding (OLE2) file scanning.
The issue arises from insufficient validation mechanisms for OLE2 files, potentially causing a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1788

CVSS Base Score: 7.5 (High)
Attack Vector: Network
Availability Impact: High
The vulnerability could allow attackers to trigger a denial of service on affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1788

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in the scanning function for OLE2 files in ClamAV software.
It results from inadequate validation and checking mechanisms for OLE2 files received by the affected device.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: ClamAV
Vendor: Cisco
Affected Versions: <= 0.101.1 (unspecified version type)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: None
The attacker can exploit the vulnerability by sending specially crafted OLE2 files to devices running the affected ClamAV version.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-1788 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ClamAV software to a patched version.
Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update antivirus software and security patches.
Conduct security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security updates provided by Cisco and ClamAV to mitigate the vulnerability.