iDefense Security Advisory 04.02.08: Symantec Norton Internet Security 2008 ActiveX Control Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

iDefense Security Advisory 04.02.08
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
Apr 02, 2008

I. BACKGROUND

Norton Internet Security 2008 is a system security suite that offers
protection from spyware, viruses, identity theft, spam, and malicious
network traffic. More information can be found on the vendor's site at
the following URL.

http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overview.jsp?pcid=is&pvid=nis2008

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a buffer overflow vulnerability in an ActiveX
control installed by Symantec Norton Internet Security 2008 could allow
for the execution of arbitrary code.

Norton Internet Security 2008 installs the following ActiveX control
which is registered as safe for scripting:

Clsid: 3451DEDE-631F-421c-8127-FD793AFC6CC8
File: C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\SUPPOR~1\SymAData.dll
Version 2.7.0.1

This control contains an exploitable stack based buffer overflow.

III. ANALYSIS

Exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the
privileges of the currently logged in user. In order for exploitation
to occur, an attacker would have to lure a vulnerable user to a
malicious web site.

While this control is marked as safe for scripting, the control has been
designed so that it can only be run from the "symantec.com" domain. In
practice this requirement can be bypassed through the use of any Cross
Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Symantec domain.
Exploitation could also occur through the use of DNS poisoning attacks.

IV. DETECTION

iDefense confirmed that this vulnerability exists in version 2.7.0.1 of
the control that is installed with the 2008 version of Norton Internet
Security. Other versions may also be available.

V. WORKAROUND

Setting the kill-bit for this control will prevent it from being loaded
within Internet Explorer. However, doing so will prevent legitimate use
of the control.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

Symantec has addressed this vulnerability by releasing updates. For more
information, refer to their advisory at the following URL.

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/security/Content/2008.04.02a.html

VII. CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CVE-2008-0312 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which standardizes names for
security problems.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

12/05/2007 Initial vendor notification
12/05/2007 Initial vendor response
04/02/2008 Coordinated public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

This vulnerability was reported to iDefense by Peter Vreugdenhil.

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X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2008 iDefense, Inc.

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Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct,
indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or
reliance on, this information.