Date
December 20, 2005

Vulnerability
The Symantec Antivirus Library provides file format support for virus analysis. During decompression of RAR files Symantec is vulnerable to multiple heap overflows allowing attackers complete control of the system(s) being protected. These vulnerabilities can be exploited remotely without user interaction in default configurations through common protocols such as SMTP. 

Impact
Successful exploitation of Symantec protected systems allows attackers unauthorized control of data and related privileges. It also provides leverage for further network compromise. Symantec implementations are likely vulnerable in their default configuration. In default configurations users are likely vulnerable regardless of whether they choose to open or read the email. 

Affected Products
Due to the library=E2=80=99s modular design and core functionality; it is likely this vulnerability affects a substantial portion of Symantec=E2=80=99s gateway, server, & client antivirus-enabled product lines on most platforms. In fact, the scope of this vulnerability is likely similar to the one described in the following link and also includes more current versions.

http://xforce.iss.net/xforce/alerts/id/187 

Further, this library is also licensed to a substantial number of venders with products/services that are likely affected. A small sample of these vendors can be found in the following link.

http://www.symantec.com/partners/index.html 

Recommendation
Disable scanning of RAR compressed files until the vulnerable code is fixed. 

Credit
This vulnerability was discovered and researched by Alex Wheeler.

Contact
security@rem0te.com