ClamAV: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2022-20698 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in ClamAV from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 0.103.5, 0.104.2 as the first without the flaw, so updating ClamAV to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 3.29% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 89% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update ClamAV to 0.103.5 or 0.104.2, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on blog.clamav.net for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | ClamAV | before 0.103.5; before 0.104.2 | 0.103.5, 0.104.2 |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 9.0; 10.0; 11.0 | Not stated |
| Canonical | Ubuntu Linux | 14.04; 16.04; 18.04; 20.04; 20.10; 21.04 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA (cisco.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 5.0 | Medium | NVD |
Official description
A vulnerability in the OOXML parsing module in Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) Software version 0.104.1 and LTS version 0.103.4 and prior versions could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service condition on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to improper checks that may result in an invalid pointer read. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted OOXML file to an affected device. An exploit could allow the attacker to cause the ClamAV scanning process to crash, resulting in a denial of service condition.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in ClamAV
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 5.4 Medium severity
Treck TCP/IP stack Out-of-Bounds Read Exploited
- 8.8 High severity
Google Chromium V8 Memory Corruption Exploited
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Google Chromium V8 Out-of-Bounds Read Exploited
- 7.5 High severity
OpenSSL Information Disclosure Exploited
Spotted an error? Tell us.