CVE-2016-2208
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Symantec Anti-Virus Engine allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or crash systems by sending a specially crafted PE header file. It affects systems running Symantec Anti-Virus Engine 20151.1 before version 20151.1.1.4. The high CVSS score indicates this is a critical vulnerability requiring immediate attention.
💻 Affected Systems
- Symantec Anti-Virus Engine (AVE)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with SYSTEM/root privileges leading to complete system compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Denial of service through system crashes and memory corruption, potentially disrupting antivirus protection and system stability.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation and updated antivirus definitions blocking malicious PE files before reaching the vulnerable component.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit code is publicly available on Exploit-DB (ID 39835) and Project Zero published details. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without authentication.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 20151.1.1.4 or later
Vendor Advisory: http://www.symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&suid=20160516_00
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download and install Symantec Anti-Virus Engine update 20151.1.1.4 or later from Symantec support portal. 2. Update all Symantec products using AVE component. 3. Restart affected systems to complete installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allRestrict network access to systems running vulnerable Symantec products to prevent remote exploitation.
File Filtering
allBlock PE files with malformed headers at network perimeter using IPS/IDS or email/web gateways.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected systems from untrusted networks and internet access
- Implement strict application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Symantec Anti-Virus Engine version in product console or registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\CurrentVersion\AVEngine for Windows systems.Check Version:
On Windows: reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\CurrentVersion\AVEngine" /v ProductVersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 20151.1.1.4 or higher in product management console and check that antivirus definitions are updating normally.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Symantec service crashes, memory access violation errors in system logs, unexpected process termination of avengine.exe or related processes
Network Indicators:
- Incoming PE files with malformed headers, unusual network connections from Symantec processes
SIEM Query:
source="*symantec*" AND (event_id="1000" OR message="*access violation*" OR message="*crash*")🔗 References
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/90653
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035903
- http://www.symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&suid=20160516_00
- https://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=820
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39835/
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/90653
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035903
- http://www.symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&suid=20160516_00
- https://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=820
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39835/
