CVE-2021-1405 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2021-1405, a high-severity vulnerability in Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) software, allowing remote attackers to trigger a denial of service attack. Find out the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
A detailed analysis of the CVE-2021-1405 highlighting the vulnerability in Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) software version 0.103.1 and all prior versions, allowing remote attackers to launch a denial of service attack.
Understanding CVE-2021-1405
This section provides an in-depth look into the nature and impact of the Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) PDF Parser Denial of Service Vulnerability.
What is CVE-2021-1405?
CVE-2021-1405 is a vulnerability in the email parsing module of Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) software, versions 0.103.1 and earlier. It enables an unauthenticated remote attacker to trigger a denial of service attack on the target system.
The Impact of CVE-2021-1405
The vulnerability stems from improper variable initialization, potentially leading to a NULL pointer read. Exploitation could result in a crash of the ClamAV scanning process, causing a denial of service scenario with a high availability impact.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-1405
Delving into the specifics of the CVE-2021-1405 vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises in the email parsing module of Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) software, versions 0.103.1 and prior, due to improper variable initialization, which may allow for a NULL pointer read.
Affected Systems and Versions
Products such as ClamAV by Cisco, up to version 0.103.1, are susceptible to this vulnerability, exposing them to potential denial of service attacks.
Exploitation Mechanism
An attacker could exploit this flaw by sending a specially crafted email to the target device, triggering a crash in the ClamAV scanning process and leading to a denial of service situation.
Mitigation and Prevention
Exploring the steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-1405 and prevent potential exploitation.
Immediate Steps to Take
It is crucial to apply the security patch released by ClamAV to address this vulnerability. Network administrators should ensure swift deployment to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
In the long term, organizations should maintain up-to-date security measures, conduct regular security assessments, and stay informed about the latest vulnerabilities to enhance overall cybersecurity posture.
Patching and Updates
Regularly monitoring for security updates and promptly applying patches provided by vendors is critical to safeguard against known vulnerabilities.