CVE-2022-20698 : Security Advisory and Response
Discover the impact of CVE-2022-20698, a denial of service vulnerability in Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) software, allowing remote attackers to disrupt scanning processes on affected devices. Learn about affected versions, exploitation mechanisms, and mitigation strategies.
A denial of service vulnerability in Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) software has been identified, allowing attackers to disrupt the scanning process of affected devices.
Understanding CVE-2022-20698
This vulnerability in the OOXML parsing module of Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) versions 0.104.1 and LTS version 0.103.4 and earlier could be exploited by remote attackers to cause a denial of service on the target device.
What is CVE-2022-20698?
The vulnerability stems from improper checks in the software, potentially leading to an invalid pointer read. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending a malicious OOXML file to the device, crashing the ClamAV scanning process.
The Impact of CVE-2022-20698
The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in a denial of service condition on the affected device, disrupting normal operations and potentially leading to system downtime.
Technical Details of CVE-2022-20698
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from flawed checks in the OOXML parsing module of Clam AntiVirus software, enabling attackers to trigger a denial of service condition by sending a crafted file.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Vendor: Cisco
- Product: ClamAV
- Versions Affected: 0.103.5 and prior, 0.104.1 and prior
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specifically crafted OOXML file to the target device, causing the ClamAV scanning process to crash and leading to a denial of service scenario.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update their Clam AntiVirus software to version 0.103.5 or later for LTS version and version 0.104.2 or later for the standard version to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly updating software, implementing network security measures, and monitoring for abnormal system behavior can help enhance overall cybersecurity posture.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that the latest patches and updates provided by Clam AntiVirus are promptly applied to safeguard systems against known vulnerabilities.