VirusTotal YARA Arbitrary Memory Address Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability [CVE-2018-19975]
CVE Number – CVE-2018-19975
A vulnerability in the libyara/exec.c code of VirusTotal YARA could allow a local attacker to access sensitive information on a targeted system.
The vulnerability is due to the design of the YARA virtual machine (VM), which could allow an attacker to use OP_COUNT to read a DWORD value from any arbitrary memory address. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by executing a compiled rule file that submits malicious input to the targeted system. An exploit could allow the attacker to access sensitive information, such as data from any arbitrary memory address.
Proof-of-concept (PoC) code that demonstrates an exploit of this vulnerability is publicly available.
VirusTotal has confirmed the vulnerability and released software updates.
Analysis
- To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have user-level access to the targeted system. This access requirement could reduce the likelihood of a successful exploit.
Safeguards
- Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to access local systems.
Administrators are advised to allow only privileged users to access administration or management systems.
Administrators are advised to monitor critical systems.
Vendor Announcements
- VirusTotal has released a bug report at the following link: Issue 999
Fixed Software
- VirusTotal has released software updates at the following link: Pull request #1001 merged
Duncan is a technology professional with over 20 years experience of working in various IT roles. He has a interest in cyber security, and has a wide range of other skills in radio, electronics and telecommunications.